Send your Virginia tax return to the Richmond processing center

Virginia's Department of Taxation processes all individual state tax returns at a single mailing address in Richmond. The address you use depends on whether you are enclosing a payment with your return.

If you owe Virginia state income tax and are sending a check, mail your return to: Virginia Department of Taxation, P.O. Box 27489, Richmond, VA 23261-7489. If you are not enclosing payment — because you expect a refund, owe nothing, or are paying by another method — use the same address. The department sorts both types of mail at the same location.

Paper returns must arrive by the federal important date, which is April 15 unless that date falls on a weekend or holiday. Virginia follows the federal important date even if you have filed a federal extension. A return postmarked by April 15 is considered on time.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail your Virginia tax return to the Richmond processing center at P.O. Box 27489, Richmond, VA 23261-7489, whether or not you are enclosing a payment.
  • The postmark date, not the arrival date, determines whether your return is on time, so mail it by April 15.
  • You can file electronically through Virginia's e-file system instead of mailing a paper return, which is faster and produces a confirmation number.
  • If you filed a federal extension, Virginia honors it, but your return must still arrive by the extended federal important date in October.
  • The Richmond address is the only mailing address for individual returns; there is no separate address for different return types or counties.

Electronic filing as an alternative to mailing

You do not have to mail a paper return. Virginia's Department of Taxation accepts electronic returns through approved tax software and tax professionals. E-filing is faster than mailing — you receive a confirmation number when ready and the department processes the return within two to three weeks instead of six to eight weeks for paper returns.

You can e-file through commercial tax software (such as TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct) if you purchase the Virginia module, or through a tax professional who has a Virginia e-file account. The software or professional submits your return directly to the department's system. You do not mail anything.

E-filing also reduces errors because the software checks for missing information and math mistakes before submission. If the department finds an issue with an electronic return, they contact you by mail or phone rather than returning the entire return.

What to include with your mailed return

Include your completed Form 760 (Virginia Individual Income Tax Return) and all required schedules and attachments. If you are claiming deductions or credits that require supporting documents — such as education credits, charitable contributions, or business losses — attach copies of those documents to your return.

If you are enclosing a payment, write your Social Security number and "2024 Virginia Tax Return" on the check or money order. Do not send cash. Include a payment voucher if you have one, though the department can process a return without it as long as your name and Social Security number are on the check.

Do not staple documents together. Use a paper clip or fold them loosely. Staples jam the department's scanning equipment and slow processing.

Federal extension and Virginia important date

If you filed a federal extension (Form 4868), Virginia automatically extends your important date to match the federal extension date, which is normally October 15. You do not file a separate Virginia extension. However, if you owe Virginia tax, you must pay it by April 15 even if your return is extended — interest and penalties begin accruing on unpaid tax after April 15, regardless of when you file.

Mail your extended return to the same Richmond address. Make sure it arrives by October 15 (or is postmarked by that date). The department treats extended returns the same as regular returns once they arrive.

Tracking your mailed return

The Virginia Department of Taxation does not provide a way to track individual paper returns through the mail system. Once you mail your return, you cannot confirm receipt until the department processes it and sends you a notice or refund.

If you want confirmation that your return arrived, use certified mail with return receipt when you mail it. The post office will confirm delivery to the Richmond address, though this does not confirm that the department received it or began processing it.

Processing times for paper returns are typically six to eight weeks from the date the department receives them. Refunds are issued by check or direct deposit, depending on what you indicated on your return. If you chose direct deposit and provided your bank account information, the refund arrives faster than by check.

Correcting or amending a filed return

If you discover an error after mailing your return, you can file an amended return using Form 760-C (Virginia Amended Individual Income Tax Return). Mail the amended return to the same Richmond address. Do not mail it to a different location or send it to a local tax office.

File an amended return within three years of the original return's due date to claim a refund. If you owe additional tax, you can file an amended return at any time, though interest and penalties continue to accrue from the original due date.

Local tax returns and other forms

Some Virginia cities and counties require a separate local income tax return in addition to your state return. Local returns are not mailed to Richmond — they go to your city or county tax office. Check your city or county government website to find the local tax office address and important date.

If you are filing a business return, partnership return, or corporate return, those go to different addresses than individual returns. The Virginia Department of Taxation website lists the correct mailing address for each return type.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I mail my return to the wrong address?

If your return goes to a local tax office or another state agency by mistake, it will be forwarded to the Richmond processing center, but this delays processing by several weeks. Always use the P.O. Box 27489 address in Richmond to avoid delays.

Can I mail my return to a Virginia Department of Taxation office in person?

No. The department does not accept hand-delivered returns at any office location. You must mail your return to the Richmond P.O. Box or file electronically. If you want to deliver documents in person, you can visit a local tax office to ask questions, but you cannot submit your return there.

Do I need to mail my return if I am getting a refund?

No. You can file electronically even if you expect a refund. E-filing is faster and you receive a confirmation number when ready. If you do mail a paper return, the refund process takes longer because the department must receive and scan your return first.

What happens if my return arrives after April 15?

If your return is not postmarked by April 15, it is considered late. The department assesses a failure-to-file penalty and interest on any tax owed, even if you are due a refund. If you filed a federal extension, the extended important date applies instead.

Should I use certified mail when mailing my return?

Certified mail is optional. Regular first-class mail is sufficient as long as it is postmarked by the important date. Certified mail provides proof of mailing and delivery, which is useful if you want documentation, but it costs extra and does not speed up processing.