IRS question?

Question

If the IRS sends you a letter saying that you need to sign your tax return form, but you've already completed, signed, sent your form, and recieved your money several months earlier, why do you need to complete and sign the same form again?

Answer 1

I once had them send that same request to a client of mine in the same situation. They had lost the tax return.

If you sign it, then it becomes an official return and they might later try to say you were late in filing it and hit you with penalties. I would send them an unsigned copy of your return for the year in question with "COPY" stamped or written in red on the signature line, along with a letter explaining you have already filed but you are including a copy for their records as a courtesy.

Be sure to keep a copy of all their correspondence and your replies because they may contact you again on the issue. Each time write them a letter back responding to the latest notice and include a copy of everything sent before (including their previous notices and all your correspondence, proof, etc.). After you have done that about 3 times and it becomes a book, usually someone there finally takes a look at it and the problem will go away.
Sourdough48

Answer 2

We are surrounded by idiots and computers; somebody hit the wrong button and it went into limbo. Run off a second copy; stamp it copy; sign and date it the date you signed the original return; write above the signature that it is a replacement copy for a lost return; save the letter with your records that you received asking for it.

Answer 3

Because somebody messed up - but it's probably easier to just do what they ask rather than try to argue about it - why cause yourself extra potential aggravation?