The 1040-V is a payment slip the IRS sends when you owe taxes and want to pay by mail

A 1040-V is a paper voucher that comes with your tax return instructions. It is not a tax form itself — it is a payment slip. You use it when you file your tax return on paper and owe money to the IRS. The voucher tells the IRS which tax year the payment is for, your Social Security number, and the amount you are sending.

The IRS includes the 1040-V in the Form 1040 instruction booklet each year. If you file electronically and owe taxes, you do not need a 1040-V — you pay through the IRS website, by phone, or through your tax software. The voucher is only for people who mail in a paper return with a check or money order.

Think of it as an address label for your payment. Without it, the IRS has to match your check to your return manually, which takes longer. With it, the payment gets routed to the right account when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • The 1040-V is a mailing voucher you include with a check or money order when you file a paper tax return and owe money.
  • You only need a 1040-V if you file on paper; e-filers pay through the IRS website, phone, or tax software instead.
  • The voucher includes your name, Social Security number, tax year, and the amount owed so the IRS can match your payment to your return.
  • You can print a 1040-V from the IRS website if you did not receive one with your return instructions.

When the IRS includes a 1040-V with your return

The IRS prints a 1040-V and includes it in the Form 1040 instruction booklet every year. You will see it whether you order the booklet by mail or read it as a PDF from IRS.gov. It is a standard part of the package, not something you have to request.

The voucher is pre-printed with the current tax year and basic IRS mailing instructions. You fill in your name, address, Social Security number, and the amount you are paying. Then you tear it off, attach it to your check or money order, and mail both to the address printed on the voucher.

How to use the 1040-V when you mail your return

Detach the 1040-V from the instruction booklet or print it from IRS.gov. Write your check or money order for the amount you owe. Make it payable to "United States Treasury" — not to the IRS.

Fill in the voucher with your name, address, and Social Security number if they are not already printed. Write the amount you are paying in the box labeled "Amount of payment." Attach the voucher to the front of your check or money order with a paper clip or tape — do not staple it.

Place your completed tax return, the voucher-attached payment, and any supporting documents (W-2s, receipts, schedules) in an envelope. Mail everything to the address shown on the 1040-V. That address changes depending on your state and whether you are including a payment, so always use the address on the current year's voucher.

What happens to your payment after you mail it

When the IRS receives your envelope, staff scan the 1040-V barcode or read the information you wrote by hand. The voucher tells them which tax year, which taxpayer, and which account to credit. Your payment is then posted to your account, usually within two to four weeks of receipt.

Without the voucher, the IRS still processes your payment, but it takes longer because someone has to manually match your check amount to your return. Including the voucher speeds up the process and reduces the chance of a posting error.

Keep a copy of the front and back of your check for your records. The cancelled check serves as proof of payment if you ever need it.

If you did not receive a 1040-V or lost yours

You can print a 1040-V directly from IRS.gov. Go to the Forms and Publications section, search for "1040-V," and read the current year's version. Print it on regular paper, fill it out by hand, and use it the same way you would use a pre-printed one.

If you are filing late or amended return, you may not have received the instruction booklet. The IRS website always has the current 1040-V available for read. Make sure you are downloading the form for the tax year you are filing, not the current year.

Why e-filers do not need a 1040-V

When you file electronically through tax software or a tax professional, your return and payment information are transmitted to the IRS together in a single file. The IRS system automatically matches them. There is no need for a paper voucher because the electronic filing system handles the routing.

If you owe taxes and file electronically, you will be given payment options on screen: pay by debit card, credit card, electronic bank transfer, or mail a check. If you choose to mail a check after e-filing, the IRS will provide you with a payment voucher specific to your electronic return. That voucher is different from the standard 1040-V and should be used instead.

Common mistakes to avoid with the 1040-V

Do not staple the voucher to your check. Use a paper clip or tape instead. Staples can jam the IRS scanning equipment and delay processing.

Do not make your check payable to the IRS. Write "United States Treasury" on the check. Checks made out to the IRS cannot be processed and will be returned.

Do not send the 1040-V without a payment. The voucher is only for use when you are mailing money. If you are not including a payment, do not include the voucher.

Do not use an old year's 1040-V for a current return. Always use the voucher for the tax year you are filing. Using the wrong year's voucher can cause your payment to be credited to the wrong account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I mail my payment without the 1040-V?

The IRS will still receive and process your payment, but it will take longer because staff have to manually match your check to your return. Including the voucher speeds up posting to your account. If you already mailed a payment without it, do not send another one — contact the IRS to confirm receipt.

Can I use a credit card or debit card with the 1040-V?

No. The 1040-V is only for checks and money orders. If you want to pay by card, you must file electronically or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to arrange a payment over the phone.

Do I need a 1040-V if I am filing an amended return?

Yes, if you are mailing a paper amended return (Form 1040-X) with a payment. The IRS provides a separate voucher for amended returns. Check the Form 1040-X instruction booklet for the correct voucher and mailing address.

What address do I mail the 1040-V and payment to?

The mailing address is printed on the 1040-V itself and varies by state and filing status. Always use the address shown on the current year's voucher. Do not use an address from a previous year's voucher.