Taxpayers Encouraged to Use Other Options for Fastening Paper Together 

LANSING, MI — Michigan taxpayers should think twice before stapling state tax documents and consider other options for fastening paper together prior to mailing, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury).

Each year, Treasury receives and processes more than 1.3 million pieces of U.S. Mail at 51 post office boxes and two ZIP Code mailboxes. For every staple used, mail operations staff members must remove and recondition affected documents before scanning and processing, slowing down individual income tax refunds and other services.

“Staples are one of the largest problems encountered in the mailroom,” said Ann Luepnitz, manager of Treasury’s Facility, Mail and Data Operations. “When the staples are removed, the paper rips and holes are created. Unfortunately, this means staff members must take extra time to recondition the documents before scanning and processing.”  

Taxpayers are encouraged to use binder clips, paper clips and rubber bands for fastening state tax documents together. Staples should only be applied where tax form instructions advise to use them.

All tax forms typically come with return instructions. By paying close attention to the instructions and appropriately preparing tax documents, taxpayers can expect faster service.

For individual income tax returns, filing electronically is the quickest and easiest way to get a refund. Last year, more than 4 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed and had their refunds directly deposited into their bank accounts.

A short video has been created to inform taxpayers about stapling challenges. To learn more about Michigan’s tax system, go to www.michigan.gov/taxes.