These instructions are for paper filers. See Pub. 3536,
Excise Tax EDI Guide, for the electronic reporting instructions.
Form 720-TO is an information return that will be used by terminal
operators to report their monthly receipts and disbursements of liquid
products.
Form 720-CS is an information return that will be used by carriers
to report their monthly receipts and disbursements of liquid products.
A liquid product is any liquid that is transported into storage at
a terminal or delivered out of a terminal. See the product code table
on page 5.
Form 720-TO and 720-CS must be filed monthly. The report is due the
last day of the month following the month in which the transaction
occurs. The first month for reporting is April, 2001, and must be
filed by May 31, 2001.
If any due date for filing a return falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
legal holiday, you may file the return on the next business day.
Send your return to the IRS using the U.S. Postal Service or a
designated private delivery service to meet the “timely mailing as
timely filing/paying” rule. See Private Delivery Services
below.
Mail Forms 720-TO and 720-CS to the Internal Revenue Service
Center, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Send the forms to the IRS in a
flat mailing (not folded). Do not staple, tear, or tape any of these
forms. If you are sending many forms, you may send them in
conveniently sized packages. On each package, write your name and EIN
and number the packages consecutively. Postal regulations require
forms and packages to be sent by First-Class Mail.
How To Complete Forms 720-TO and 720-CS
Below are suggestions that will allow the IRS to process the
submitted forms in the most economical manner:
- If you need additional forms or schedules, you may use
photocopies.
- Although handwritten forms are acceptable, the IRS prefers
that you type or machine print data entries using 10 pitch (pica) or
12 pitch (elite) black type. Use block print, not script characters.
Insert data in the middle of the blocks well separated from other
printing and guidelines, and take other measures to guarantee a dark
black, clear, sharp image.
- Do not enter 0 (zero) or “None” in data entry boxes
when no entry is required. Leave the boxes blank unless the
instructions specifically require that you enter a 0 (zero).
Extension of Time To File
You may request an extension of up to 30 days to file a return.
Explain the cause of the delay fully and send your request to the
Internal Revenue Service Center, Cincinnati, OH 45999.
If you filed a return with the IRS and later discover you made an
error, you must correct it as soon as possible. If you filed your
return electronically, see Pub. 3536 for instructions.
When making a correction to a paper filed return, you must send in
the first page of Form 720-TO or 720-CS and the schedule(s) that needs
to be corrected with the “Void” box checked. Identify the
transaction you are correcting, either by highlighting or attaching an
explanation. Then, complete another first page of Form 720-TO or
720-CS along with the corrected schedule(s) with the “Corrected”
box checked. On the corrected schedule(s), only enter the information
for the transaction you are correcting.
Keep copies of information returns you have filed with the IRS or
the data to reconstruct for at least 3 years from the date of the
return. Your records must be available at all times for inspection by
the IRS.
Failure to file correct information returns by the due date.
If you fail to file a correct information return by the due date
and you cannot show reasonable cause, you may be subject to a penalty.
The penalty applies if you fail to file timely, you fail to include
all information required to be shown on a return, or you include
incorrect information on a return. The penalty also applies if you
report an incorrect employer identification number (EIN) or fail to
report an EIN where required.
Private Delivery Services
You can use certain private delivery services designated by the IRS
to meet the “timely mailing as timely filing/paying” rule for tax
returns and payments. The most recent list of designated private
delivery services was published by the IRS in August 1999. This list
includes only the following:
- Airborne Express (Airborne): Overnight Air Express Service,
Next Afternoon Service, Second Day Service.
- DHL Worldwide Express (DHL): DHL “Same Day” Service,
DHL USA Overnight.
- Federal Express (FedEx): FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx
Standard Overnight, FedEx 2Day.
- United Parcel Service (UPS): UPS Next Day Air, UPS Next Day
Air Saver, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M.
The private delivery service can tell you how to get written proof
of the mailing date.
How To Get Forms and Publications
You can access the IRS Web Site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at
www.irs.gov to:
- Download forms, instructions, and publications.
- See answers to frequently asked tax questions.
- Search publications on-line by topic or keyword.
- Send us comments or request help by e-mail.
- Sign up to receive local and national tax news by
e-mail.
You can also reach us using file transfer protocol at
ftp.irs.gov.
Order Pub. 1796, Federal Tax Products on CD-ROM, and
get:
- Current year forms, instructions, and publications.
- Prior year forms, instructions, and publications.
- Popular tax forms that may be filled in electronically,
printed out for submission, and saved for recordkeeping.
- The Internal Revenue Bulletin.
Buy the CD-ROM on the Internet at www.irs.gov/cdorders
from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) for $21 (no
handling fee) or call 1-877-CDFORMS (1-877-233-6767) to buy
the CD-ROM for $21 (plus a $5 handling fee).
You can get forms, publications, and automated information 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, by phone. Call 1-800-TAX-FORM
(1-800-829-3676) to order current and prior year forms, instructions,
and publications. You should receive your order within 10 days.
You can pick up some of the most requested forms, instructions, and
publications at many IRS offices, post offices, and libraries. Some
IRS offices, libraries, grocery stores, office supply stores, and copy
centers have an extensive collection of products available to
photocopy or print from a CD-ROM.
If you have attempted to deal with an IRS problem unsuccessfully,
you should contact the Taxpayer Advocate. The Taxpayer Advocate
independently represents your interests and concerns within the IRS by
protecting your rights and resolving problems that have not been fixed
through normal channels.
While Taxpayer Advocates cannot change the tax law or make a
technical tax decision, they can clear up problems that resulted from
previous contacts and ensure that your case is given a complete and
impartial review.
Your assigned personal advocate will listen to your point of view
and will work with you to address the concerns. You can expect the
advocate to provide:
- A "fresh look" at a new or on-going problem.
- Timely acknowledgment.
- The name and phone number of the individual assigned to your
case.
- Updates on progress.
- Timeframes for action.
- Speedy resolution.
- Courteous service.
When contacting the Taxpayer Advocate, you should provide the
following information:
- Your name, address, and employer identification
number.
- The name and telephone number of an authorized contact
person and the hours he or she can be reached.
- The type of tax return and year(s) involved.
- A detailed description of the problem.
- Previous attempts to solve the problem and the office that
had been contacted.
- A description of the hardship you are facing (if
applicable).
You may contact a Taxpayer Advocate by calling a toll-free number,
1-877-777-4778. Persons who have access to TTY/TDD
equipment may call 1-800-829-4059 and ask for Taxpayer Advocate
assistance. If you prefer, you may call, write, or fax the Taxpayer
Advocate office in your area. See Pub. 1546, The Taxpayer
Advocate Service of the IRS, for a list of addresses and fax numbers.
