Should I Staple Or Paperclip My Tax Return?

Staple only income documents with federal withholding (W-2s, 1099-Rs, W-2Gs) to the front of Form 1040; everything else stays loose

What’s the deal with staples and paperclips anyway?

Staples and paperclips can jam IRS scanners and delay your refund if placed in the wrong spots

IRS machines handle over 260 million returns yearly. A rogue staple near a barcode or in the scanner path? That’s all it takes to bring everything to a grinding halt. According to the 2025 Form 1040 Instructions, only documents showing federal withholding (like W-2s with Box 2 filled) belong stapled to your return. Leave everything else loose—it’s the safest bet to avoid jams or misreads that could slow down your refund. If you're curious about the history of staples, check out what materials a stapler is made of.

How do I actually do this correctly?

Attach withholding documents to Form 1040 using one staple at the left edge, then organize schedules in order without staples

Start by rounding up your paperwork: Form 1040, W-2s showing federal withholding, 1099-Rs with Box 4 filled, and any W-2Gs. Lay the 1040 flat on your desk. Place the W-2s on the right side of page 1, sorted by their sequence number in the upper-right corner (lowest to highest). Now, drive one staple through all the W-2s and the 1040 at the left edge—about ½ inch from the top. Add any 1099-Rs or W-2Gs with withholding to that same staple. Behind the 1040, stack your schedules (like Schedule A or C) in ascending order of their “Attachment Sequence No.” Don’t staple those together—just keep them neatly ordered. Wondering if stapling legal documents is allowed? Learn more about stapling will pages together.

What if I messed up?

Remove staples from non-withholding documents or use a paperclip as a temporary fix; check state rules if they differ

Realized you stapled everything together? No panic—just remove the staples before folding. The IRS can still process it, but manual handling adds 4–6 weeks to your refund timeline. Forgot to staple a W-2 with withholding? Slap a paperclip on it and attach it to the front of your 1040. The IRS prefers staples, but a paperclip won’t jam their scanners. Pro tip: State rules vary. California and Massachusetts, for example, often say “do not staple.” Always double-check your state’s 2025 instruction booklet—those local requirements can trip you up. Some states even have unique recycling rules for office supplies like paperclips.

How can I avoid future headaches?

Photocopy your return, verify sequence numbers, and use a checklist before mailing your paper return

Before you seal that envelope, make a full copy of your return. Why? If questions pop up later, you’ll have the exact sequence numbers and attachments on hand. Grab a ruler and confirm every schedule’s “Attachment Sequence No.” in the upper-right corner—then stack them in ascending order. Run through this quick checklist: 1040 + W-2s stapled → schedules in order → sign at the bottom → make a copy → mail. If you’re e-filing, forget about attachment rules entirely—the IRS gets your W-2 data straight from the source. Honestly, this is the simplest way to keep things running smoothly. For more on organizing paperwork, see how to store documents efficiently.

Contents

What’s the deal with staples and paperclips anyway?

How do I actually do this correctly?

What if I messed up?

How can I avoid future headaches?

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