Using P.O. Box as tax preparer address on returns

[ctt0928]

I am a sole practitioner who works out of my home. I understand that new IRS requirements make you use a physical address for the tax preparer's address and a P.O. Box is not allowed. However, my home address printing on client tax returns is not ideal. Does anyone know of a way to have a P.O. Box print on the returns? (I know I could probably edit the PDF after printing, but that would take a significant amount of time if doing it for all returns.)

[TaxGuyBill · Accepted solution]

ProSeries will only use the address that in on the EFIN.

As you said, the IRS will not accept a P.O. Box for an EFIN.  However, there might be a work-around.  Some places, such as the UPS Store have 'real address' boxes that you may be able to use. (there are probably other similar businesses that do this). 

So you could get a 'real address' box, and use that for your EFIN. Then update the EFIN with Intuit and that address will show up on the tax returns.

https://www.theupsstore.com/mailboxes

[ctt0928]

Thanks for the tip!

[JKilday]

I am having this same issue. It is a PIA to have to change the address on every return that I provide to my clients. I see this post was from two years ago and as far as I know Intuit has done nothing to address this issue. It should be so easy to fix because it doesn't affect what gets transmitted to the IRS by Intuit. 

[Accountantlovestodrink]

I agree, the filing address should be the home address and what's needs to be appear on the tax return should allow PO Box, I think it's a simple process. "Why make it simple when you can make it complicated"! 

[abctax55]

edit, or just READ Bill's reply, the one from 2 1/2 years ago that was marked as the solution....

*****************

It's an IRS issue, related to EFIN applications.  Several years ago *they/IRS/EFIN police* stopped allowing PO Boxes.  Yes, it's a pain; I'm in a rural area with NO USPS street delivery so I must use a PO Box.  Clients routinely mail (USPS) things to me at the physical address shown as preparer.

My decision, years ago, was that fighting the IRS *AND* the USPS is a battle I couldn't win.

[Accountantlovestodrink]

I saw the solution, but I have already paid my PO Box for 6 months and the one with street address cost more money, and changing address is always a pain. Let me use up my 6 month and think about getting a "Real street address". 

Thanks for your response~~