How do I add attachments to Form 3115

[Obaf]

This question was asked, here in Turbo Tax Forums in 2024 (see here). I'm asking again in case things have changed or there's a better answer.

I'm filling out Form 3115 and it asks for attachments in multiple places.

My questions are

1. How do we add these attachments?
   a) Can this be done in Turbo Tax directly?
   b) Do I just type them up in Microsoft word and then print them out?
2. Apart from these attachments, I've seen comments that you can't file Form 3115 with your Federal tax returns electronically
   a) Is this because one needs to add attachments?
   b) It seems to me like if you exclude the attachments, Form 3115 is part of your generated tax returns and will be part of your efiling. Is my understanding incorrect?

[Mike9241 · Accepted solution]

The answer hasn't changed and likely never will. Manual forms require that the return be mailed. Even PDFs of official forms can not be electronically attached to allow e-filling.  However, you can still e-file because you can use Form 8453 to mail in Form 3115 and the attachments. Turbotax supports that form. Make sure you follow the filing instructions for the 8453.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8453.pdf 

[Obaf]

Hi @Mike9241 

Thanks for the response. I don't quite understand it and so I would like to ask some follow-up questions

1) Should I look for Form 8453 in Turbo Tax Desktop and fill it out?

2) After filling it, will Turbo tax send it as part of my efile?

3) How do I actually create the attachments required for Form 3115? i.e Form 3115 requires some explanation/notes for some of the questions and these are what they call attachments. How do I create these?

[Mike9241]

Read the instrcutions it cannot be e-filed.  The 8453,  3115 and attachments will have to be mailed.  as to how to create attachments, if there isn't a link to prepare them, then they will have to be prepared outside of Turbotax

[GaryFNC]

Mike, very helpful answer - thanks.    I understand about the attachments - but presumably the actual Form 3115 that has to be included with the return can just be part of the efiled return (as TurboTax supports that form).

I understand that I need to send in Form 3115 and the supporting attachment.    And that I need to do 8453 if I am sending anything by mail.    What  I am confused by is - do I go ahead and include Form 3115 in my efile OR only send it in the physical mail (for the 3115 for tax return - I mailed in the signed version,etc much earlier)  

Thanks again - a confusing area, but I'd rather efile if at all possible

Gary

[purevtguy]

I'm following this as well as I have the same confusion. I understand I need to send in form 8453 to the address on the instructions if I'm going to efile and have a form 3115 w/attachments. 

Where I'm confused, is if form 3115 and attachments are to be mailed into the same address as form 8453 at the same time.  The form 3115 instructions give an entirely different address to mail form 3115 into than form 8453!?

[GaryFNC]

Form 3115 and attachments have to be sent in separately ahead of filing (preferably quite a ways ahead).  The rules for that are in the Form 3115 IRS instructions....   And Form 3115 also has to be part of the tax filing itself (an unsigned copy).

IF I e-file, I know that I have to mail in 8453 separately and I'm sure it needs to include the separate documentation that I attached to the original Form 3115.    What I'm confused by is whether Turbo Tax efile submits Form 3115 (it is in TurboTax and I can fill it out there) or whether I send it along with 8453.     IF I don't have a clear answer, I will send it in with 8453 (can't hurt, I assume).    

[RobertB4444]

Yes, BUT only the desktop version of TurboTax supports form 3115.  You can prepare it there and submit it as well.

@GaryFNC