Are there any advantages to filing by mail (other than you dont have to send your check until April 15).?

Question

Are there any advantages to filing by mail (other than you dont have to send your check until April 15). Any reasons you have to file by mail?

Answer 1

It might cost a bit less, as some e-filed returns require a fee.

Some returns MUST be filed by mail. This includes prior year returns as well as returns that are rejected for e-filing. Reasons for e-file rejects include multiple uses of the same SSN for dependency claims or no AGI available for the prior tax year.

There is NO truth to the rumor that e-filing increases your chances of an audit. Audit selections are based upon the content of the return, not the method of filing. In fact, e-filing includes automatic checking for certain errors that could trigger an audit so you are probably slightly LESS likely to be audited with an e-filed return than a paper return.

Answer 2

As pointed out, a few returns have to be mailed rather than efiled. With efiling if you have a balance due, the balance isn't due until the due date of the return (04/15 in most years, 04/17 this last tax season) no matter when you file the actual return.

There are two things I like about efiling. First is, if you have a refund, you cut at least a week or two off getting your refund -- more if you set up a direct deposit. The second is the error rate is much lower for efiling. When you send a paper return by mail, a person has to enter your numbers into the system. You eliminate the middle man when you efile. Last numbers I saw stated about a 4% error rate on mailed returns while efiled returns were less than 1%.

Answer 3

Most of the advantage goes to efile over paper file. The 2 biggies are: A, faster refund and B, positive confirmation that IRS has received the tax return.

No guarantees of receipt if you mailed it. (Yes, you can get a guarantee from the post office that you mailed it, but that is not quite the same.)

BTW, you can efile any time and still pay on any other date prior to 4/15 using form 1040V payment voucher. And there is no difference in audit likelihood based on efile vs. paper file.

Answer 4

There are lots of advantages to filing online, but the only one I can think of for filing by mail is you can do it free - don't have to pay someone to file your return, and don't have to buy software.

If you file online and owe, you don't have to send your check until the deadline anyway.

Answer 5

i've heard that with e-filing, you have a higher likelihood of getting audited.

but that could be just a rumor.

oh yeah, also you don't have to pay those e-filing service charges (i used turbotax and had to pay i think 25$ (i don't remember) to file federal)
other than that..as long as you get your mail certified that you've actually sent it before the deadline, mailing is fine =)