Where to mail your tax return with a payment

If you are mailing a paper Form 1040 with a payment (check or money order), send it to one of two IRS lockbox addresses by state: Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 1214, Charlotte, NC 28201-1214 for the Southeast, or Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 931000, Louisville, KY 40293-1000 for the rest of the country. These are different from the no-payment processing-centre addresses — use them only when a payment is enclosed.

Mailing addresses

Verified July 2026

With payment — Charlotte (Southeastern states)

Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 1214
Charlotte, NC  28201-1214

AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX — Form 1040 with a payment enclosed.

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With payment — Louisville (all other states)

Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 931000
Louisville, KY  40293-1000

AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY — Form 1040 with a payment.

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Sources

Addresses verified July 2026 against official sources. Always confirm on the official site before time-sensitive filings.

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Key facts

  • These lockbox PO boxes are only for returns with a payment enclosed. A no-payment return goes to the processing-centre ZIP (Austin, Kansas City, or Ogden) instead.
  • Make your check payable to "United States Treasury," and include Form 1040-V (the payment voucher) plus your SSN, the tax year, and "Form 1040" in the memo line.
  • Charlotte serves the Southeast (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX); every other state uses Louisville.
  • Do not staple or paper-clip your payment to the return. Filing on time still means a postmark on or before the deadline, even when a payment is enclosed.
  • PostPal prints and mails your return and voucher via USPS the next business day for $5, with a dated confirmation email.

How to send your letter

  1. 1

    Confirm you are enclosing a payment

    These addresses are only for returns mailed with a check or money order. If you owe nothing or expect a refund, use the no-payment address for your state instead.

  2. 2

    Prepare the payment and voucher

    Complete Form 1040-V, make the check payable to "United States Treasury," and write your SSN, "2025 Form 1040," and a daytime phone number on the check. Do not send cash.

  3. 3

    Pick Charlotte or Louisville by state

    Southeastern states (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX) mail to Charlotte NC; everyone else mails to Louisville KY.

  4. 4

    Mail it before the deadline

    A USPS postmark on or before the due date counts as on time. PostPal prints and mails your return and voucher for $5 and emails you dated proof of mailing.

Common questions

Where do I mail my tax return if I owe money?

To an IRS lockbox PO box: P.O. Box 1214, Charlotte, NC 28201-1214 for Southeastern states, or P.O. Box 931000, Louisville, KY 40293-1000 for all other states. Include Form 1040-V with your payment.

Who do I make the check payable to?

Make it payable to "United States Treasury." Write your Social Security number, the tax year, and "Form 1040" on the memo line so the IRS can match the payment to your account.

Can I send the payment separately from the return?

You can, but it is cleaner to mail them together with Form 1040-V to the correct lockbox address. If you pay electronically, mail the return to the no-payment address instead.

Is it still on time if postmarked by the deadline?

Yes. A return with a payment is treated as filed on time if postmarked on or before the due date. Keep proof of mailing — PostPal emails a dated confirmation.

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