You may need to mail a paper return to the IRS or state agency if:
You prefer mail over e-file (personal preference)
Your e-file was rejected and must be paper-filed to correct the problem*
You're filing your return after the October deadline (IRS is no longer accepting e-filed returns)
Online
Dashboard
To print a paper copy of your return:
From within your TaxAct return, click File> Print Return.
Click Continue and select one of the following options:
Federal and State
Federal Only
State Only
The program will proceed with the interview - enter or review the appropriate information.
At the end, you will be prompted to print the return and its filing instructions (if you are also printing a state return, this will be on a separate screen).
Classic
To print a paper-copy of your return:
From within your TaxAct return, click Filing> Print Return.
Click Continue and select one of the following options:
Federal and State
Federal Only
State Only
The program will proceed with the interview - enter or review the appropriate information.
At the end, you will be prompted to print the return and its filing instructions (if you are also printing a state return, this will be on a separate screen).
Desktop
To print a paper-copy of your return:
From within your TaxAct return, click Filing> Print Return.
Click Continue and select one of the following options:
Federal and State
Federal Only
State Only
The program will proceed with the interview - enter or review the appropriate information.
At the end, you will be prompted to print the return and its filing instructions (if you are also printing a state return, this will be on a separate screen).
Before mailing the return(s), be sure to read the filing instructions. They will include important information such as where to file, what to attach to the return (i.e. W-2s, 1099s, etc.), refund or balance due, information about estimated tax payments, etc.
Notes:
File your return, schedules, and other attachments on standard size paper. Cutting the paper may cause problems in processing your return.
*If you are paper-filing your return because you were rejected on the filing due date, you should also include an explanation and a copy of the IRS rejection with your paper return. This return would need to be mailed within 10 days of your rejection and no later than April 25th.
The postmark date is used to determine whether the return was timely filed. If you are mailing your return, you may want to go to a Postal Service retail location and ask for a manual, or local, postmark. This will ensure that the date on the postmark is the same as the date of mailing. If the envelope containing the return is placed in a mail receptacle, it will still receive a postmark when it reaches a processing facility, but the postmark date may not be the same as the date that it was mailed. In short, if sending the return on or near the due date, request a manual postmark to ensure that the mailing will be considered timely by the IRS and state.