Just curious, why are you still sending physical tax forms? Have you been filing 1040NR? Those were recently digitalized, while the standard 1040 has been digital since a while.
The issue is not the mere form 1040. Many taxpayers have to provide several to many other forms.
But besides that, the reason for printing and mailing is that the IRS seems to have focused on either tax prep software company interfaces to the IRS (the tax prep software submits), or fill out - esign - encrypt/hash/protect - submit in their own web-based workflows. In the cases they provide for, there is essentially no provision for adjusting the form to your needs or attaching statements (notes in your own format). And attached statements are very often required.
In particular the IRS refuses to let us upload a PDF or other images of filled out forms. Or email them. Such a submission could then take the exact same path as the forms they receive by mail - doesn't seem too hard - but no, we can't do that.
Some departments at IRS/Treasury insist on a fax interface. As the main alternative to mailing paper. At least in this case I can use a (not exactly safe) PDF to fax gateway to get on with my life.
But besides that, the reason for printing and mailing is that the IRS seems to have focused on either tax prep software company interfaces to the IRS (the tax prep software submits), or fill out - esign - encrypt/hash/protect - submit in their own web-based workflows. In the cases they provide for, there is essentially no provision for adjusting the form to your needs or attaching statements (notes in your own format). And attached statements are very often required.
In particular the IRS refuses to let us upload a PDF or other images of filled out forms. Or email them. Such a submission could then take the exact same path as the forms they receive by mail - doesn't seem too hard - but no, we can't do that.
Some departments at IRS/Treasury insist on a fax interface. As the main alternative to mailing paper. At least in this case I can use a (not exactly safe) PDF to fax gateway to get on with my life.