Clarity on IRS Lockbox Changes?

A VSCPA member recently asked where to send fourth-quarter estimated tax payments in light of the closure of some U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) lockbox operations. We reached out to the IRS and got this answer:

"Other practitioners have raised this issue, too. I did find an Issue Management Resolution System issue very similar to this (IMRS - 07-0000496). Apparently, the same type of thing happened to taxpayers in 2007. Then, payments sent to the old site were date stamped and forwarded to the new site. I am assuming (IRS emphasis - ed.) the same thing will happen for the 2012 4th quarter estimated tax payments. It appears the IRS would prefer them to send the payment to the new address but, if they send it to the old address, it should still be processed."

Does anyone have any insight on this issue?

Lockbox Changes for Federal Tax Payments

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Management Service (FMS) are making changes to the tax lockbox network, and Virginia taxpayers and preparers will be affected.

Virginia tax payments had previously gone to St. Louis, which is one of two lockbox operations (along with Atlanta) closing effective Dec. 31, 2012. Individual taxpayers in Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee will now send their payments to Louisville, Ky.

Read the VSCPA's article for more information and the appropriate addresses for each form.