When you mail in your taxes is it a good idea to buy insurance or is it enough to request return receipt?

Answer 1

You really don't need either. Insurance would only cover the value of the paper the return was prepared on. A return receipt isn't necessary either.

If you send it Certified Mail, you'll have positive proof of both mailing and the mailing date. That's all you really need to satisfy the IRS rules.

Answer 2

I don't do either and have never had a problem. When you buy insurance, they will ask you for a value of the item. A tax return has no monetary value in itself.

I don't think many people request a return receipt. It just is not a common practice. Nowadays, I file electronically using a tax program. You will be notified in a few days if the IRS accepted your return. If doing it by mail, don't worry about it. Just put a stamp on it and drop it in the box.

Answer 3

I have never insured my tax return, nor have I used return receipt on them. I'm sure that both are a good idea, but I use the labels and envelopes provided by the IRS and keep copies of everything. I've never had an issue with my taxes being lost or delayed.

Getting them to successfully direct deposit my refunds, however, is a chore all it itself!

Answer 4

Insurance is for shipping something of value, like a collectible coin, a piece of jewelry, an expensive electronic item, etc. Return receipt is probably the way to go because you just want to know the govt got it. I ship a lot of stuff both domestically and internationally and insurance is the wrong "instrument" to ship your taxes with.

Jim

Answer 5

If you're filing a return with a payment, a substantial payment in excess of
$ 10,000, request certified return receipt.

Otherwise, send it in regular First Class; no return receipt.

Why? Large checks are known to get lost at the IRS.

Answer 6

Neither is required. But if you do, return receipt is the only thing that would be helpful, not insurance.

Answer 7

Send it USPS Priority Mail. That why you can track it online.