GEORGIA, USA — The tax deadline passed two months ago, but viewers continue to email 11Alive News that their tax documents are in limbo because of the ongoing USPS delivery issues impacting people across Georgia.
John Werner, an Athens resident and certified public accountant, is among those dealing with such struggles after he said he mailed his payment to the Internal Revenue Service on April 11.
“Lo-and-behold, almost eight weeks later, I get the payment back,” he told 11Alive’s Liza Lucas.
The payment was marked “return to sender,” Werner showed, and “not deliverable as addressed.” The irony, he said, was that it was mailed in an IRS-provided envelope.
“I was shocked,” he added upon receiving the returned payment. “Because obviously, it’s due April 15.”
Werner is not alone in his surprise. As 11Alive investigates the delays stemming from the new regional processing and distribution center in Palmetto, tax documents stuck in transit have been a major concern.
Two months after the April 15 deadline, some are still struggling to locate their financial documents or payments to the IRS as the postal service works to clear a mail backlog.
11Alive also contacted the Georgia Department of Revenue about the impact. A spokesperson shared that the agency is “currently receiving postmarks from taxpayers that reflect February, March, April, May, and June.”
The IRS previously confirmed that if taxpayers address documents correctly, include enough postage, and postmark them by the due date, the agency will process returns and payments as “timely.”
Yet, another viewer reached out after mailing her tax payment at her local post office branch on April 15, saying she’s since received an IRS notice that she’s facing a late fee.
When asked about the ongoing issues impacting tax documents, the IRS passed along information highlighting options to help taxpayers who missed the April deadline to file their 2023 federal income tax return and options for those struggling to pay.
Per a spokesperson for the agency, those who receive a CP-14 notice showing a balance owed should:
Read their notice carefully. It will explain how much they owe and how to pay it.
Pay the amount they owe by the due date on the notice.
Make a payment plan if they can’t pay the full amount they owe.
Contact us if they disagree by calling the number on their notice.
“Taxpayers who’ve been affected by the USPS delays in Georgia and have received a CP-14 Notice from the IRS that disagree with the notice should contact the number on the notice to discuss their situation with IRS customer service representatives,” a spokesperson for the IRS shared.
Meanwhile, Werner made the payment for estimated taxes for the tax year 2024, giving him time to fix the issue with the agency. Werner added he wants the post office to be held accountable.
“All I can say is get it straight,” he said.
Those experiencing delays or who have not received mail can contact the newsroom with your concerns as we continue to cover this story. Fill out our online form below, and someone from our news team will follow up with you.