Daytime phone number on 1040 required?

Hi,

On Form 1040 there is a place to enter a daytime phone number. It is on the same line as the signature, just to the right of the space for "Occupation." My tax preparation software never prompts me to enter a daytime phone number, so that space is always blank when I print my return. I've always assumed that the phone number isn't required information, and that must be why my software never asks me to enter it.

Is my assumption that the phone number isn't required information correct? And if it's not required, would it be better to include it anyway?

Harry

Reply to
harry_lewis
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It's not required and my personal practice is not to include it.

Reply to
Arthur Kamlet

When I prepare tax returns and the taxpayer wants to fill in that block, I ask, "Do you WANT the IRS to call you? Or would you rather they sent a letter?"

-Crystal

Reply to
pleasedontemailme

harry snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com posted:

You're correct, and it is not required. But having noted other replies suggesting it's better not to enter it, I thought I would offer an alternative view. (Please note I'm a volunteer, unpaid preparer, so my views might be affected by that status.)

I always advise TPs that since the IRS can obtain their home phone number through either published (or internet 411) sources anyway, why not make it easy for them to phone you? My logic is, if they're willing to attempt to resolve a possible problem verbally, it is most probably a pretty simple, easily-corrected issue which I would prefer to dispose of with a few words on the phone, than to receive a written communication that requires a written response.

Of course, after sharing that personal view, I always advise them it's their choice, and do as they decide.

Bill

Reply to
Bill

Third choice: "Don't call me: I'll call you!"

ChEAr$, Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

Reply to
Harlan Lunsford

wrote

As noted it's not required, but for processing issues it's probably helpful. Never supply your work number. A home or cell number would suffice.

Reply to
Paul Thomas

The IRS can no longer be certain that they can find your phone number because many cell phones are not listed in 411.

The quasi-official reason for it is that if there is some dumb mistake that they can see (like you swapped two digits of your social) then they can call you to verify the correction. Riiight.

Reply to
Rick Merrill

Why not give your work number? If the IRS is going to call, aren't they going to call during business hours, at least initially? If you get a W-2, they know where you work. The only drawback I can see is if your work phone might be answered by someone whom you wouldn't want to know that you got a call from the IRS. But if that's not an issue (for example, no one answers my office phone if I'm not there), then why not?

Bob Sandler

Reply to
Bob Sandler

Who is answering the phone? And is it company policy that you can receive "personal" calls at work?

It's just not good to leave your work number.

Maybe, maybe not. During tax season they work screwy hours. In any event, they can leave a message and you can call them back on your time.

They know where you ~did~ work. Besides, the person calling you doesn't have that information.

Unless you're self-employed, don't leave a work number.

What's your company policy on phone usage? Who has access to your voice mail?

Just let them call your home or cell number. You can return the call on your own time. And - when you might have a chance to have your files in front of you. What do you keep at work that is helpful to you in answering some questions from the IRS on an off-the-cuff basis?

Reply to
Paul Thomas

I don't think anyone would be silly enough to give their work number unless it went directly to their phone.

Most companies allow a reasonable amount of personal use of business phones. It's more likely that the company wouldn't want you taking ANY personal phone calls while you're supposed to be working -- whether it's on your office phone or cell phone is less relevant. The only real difference is that the company might be able to tell that you're doing this if you use the company phone.

But they're specifically asking for a *daytime* number. Regardless of what hours the tax guys work, why would they call *this* number outside of business hours?

Reply to
Barry Margolin

replying to Rick Merrill, PrivateCitizen wrote: IRS does not have the personnel to call you. They'll send an automated letter. Who has the people to call you? Fraudsters. I exclude it since it would then be passed through other companies (turbotax-->

microsoft). I also exclude my email. Emails too easy to spoof and look legit when they are not. Plus, I don't want to be legally obligated to an email that went to the spam folder.

Reply to
PrivateCitizen

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