IRS Private Delivery Services You Can Use When Filing For Taxes

The U.S Postal Service has been used by millions of taxpayers when filing and paying for their taxes every year. But what if you prefer to use another delivery service to file your taxes on time? 

There are several IRS private delivery service options you choose from. These private delivery services are approved by the IRS as they meet the “timely mailing as timely filing/paying”  rule for tax returns and payments. Therefore, your return and payments are considered on time for the IRS’s purposes provided that you mail your return and payment by the tax deadline.

When using these services, keep these points in mind:

• Requesting a written proof of the mailing date is a good idea and you should keep this documentation with your copies of your tax return for your records.
• Since private delivery services can deliver to P.O boxes, you’ll have to use the U.S Postal Service. This is applicable if you plan to mail your payment to an IRS P.O box. The IRS website shows the physical address for Submission Processing Centers for IRS Private Delivery Services packages.

Private Delivery Services Approved by the IRS

Make sure you review the following private delivery services and determine which of these companies and options are included in the approved list of the IRS.

DHL Express
DHL Express 9:00
DHL Express 10:30
DHL Express 12:00
DHL Express Worldwide
DHL Express Envelope
DHL Import Express 10:30
DHL Import Express 12:00
DHL Import Express Worldwide
FedEx
FedEx First Overnight
FedEx Priority Overnight
FedEx Standard Overnight
FedEx Two-day
FedEx International Next Flight Out
FedEx International Priority
UPS
UPS Next Day Air Early AM
UPS Next Day Air
UPS Next Day Air Saver
UPS 2nd Day Air
UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.
UPS Worldwide Express Plus
UPS Worldwide Express
 

Should You Consider Electronic Filing?

You may also consider electronic filing if you want to make sure that the IRS receives your personal or business tax return. There is a record of transmission once your return is transmitted to the IRS immediately. You have the option to use one of the e-filing options from the IRS or you can have your tax preparer take care of this for you.

If the authorized electronic return transmitter postmarks the transmission by the due date, your return is considered filed on time if you use IRS e-file. When the authorized electronic return transmitter received the transmission of your electronically filed return on its host system, an electronic postmark is recorded. Whether your electronically filed return is timely depends on the date and time in your time zone.

Missed the deadline? File an Extension Application

The extension application can be e-filed or mailed into the IRS. Form 7004 for corporations and partnerships and Form 4868 for other business types and personal tax returns are the two application forms you can use.

Keep Income Tax Due Dates In Mind

Tax returns for 2018 will be accepted by the IRS starting on January 29, 2019.

Filing Due Dates for the Returns

• Personal tax returns are due April 15, 2019.
• The due date for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs filing Schedule C along with their personal tax returns for 2018 is April 15, 2019.
• For partnerships, S corporations, and multiple-member LLCs, Form 1065 is due March 15, 2019. Your personal tax return must be submitted together with the Schedule K-1.
• The 2018 corporate tax return is due April 15, 2019, for corporations with a December 31 year end.
• Corporations must file Form 1120 and S Corporations must file Form 1120-S. The return is due on the 15th day of the fourth month after your year-end date if your corporation doesn't have a December 31 year end

When Does the IRS Consider My Return Mailed?

It’s important that you’re sure whether the IRS accepts that your return was send by the due date if you mailed your tax returns. The date of the postmark is the date your return was “mailed” according to the IRS. However, there are some additional criteria to consider:

• Properly addressed envelope.
• The mailing must have enough postage.
• The date of registration is the postmark date if the return is sent by registered mail.
• The date of the receipt is the postmark date if you chose to send a return by certified mail and have your receipt postmarked.