TAS Tax Tip: I got an IRS notice or letter- Now what do I do?

The IRS will send a notice or a letter for any number of reasons, including:

A specific issue on your federal tax return or account;
Explaining changes to your return or account, asking for more information, or requesting a payment.

You can handle most of this correspondence without calling or visiting an IRS office or the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), if you follow the instructions in the notice or letter.

However, sometimes these communications can be confusing and hard to understand. So, here are some tips to help you when you receive a notice or letter from the IRS. The first step is to identify the important information in the notice or letter.

1. Determine the Reason the Notice or Letter Was Sent

Your notice or letter will explain the reason for the contact and give you instructions on how to handle the issue. If you still aren’t able to understand the information provided, the IRS has a Search Notice and Letters feature on the Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter page.

You can find the notice (CP) or letter (LTR) number on either the top or the bottom right-hand corner of your correspondence. Once you find it, you can enter that number in the search box and you will be taken to a corresponding page that has more general information that may help.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service has a GET HELP section on various topics that can lead you through important information, steps and actions necessary to help you resolve many common tax issues.

Sometimes you do not need to take any further action, but sometimes you will.

2. Do I Need to Reply?

Whether you need to reply or not will depend on the issue.

If you agree with the information or change listed on the notice or letter, generally there is no need to reply. If the action causes a balance due, then you should take action immediately. Other times, even if you do agree, you may need to provide specific information to resolve the issue, particularly if you need to verify your identity.

If you disagree, you will need to act as soon as possible, as penalties and interest may be accruing, depending on the circumstances. The letter should outline what that action is and include a due date for your response.

Whether you agree or not, if it requires a reply – do not delay! Delaying can create more issues. See more on this below.

3. When to Respond By

If your notice or letter requires a response by a specific date, there are many reasons you’ll want to comply. Here are just a few:

minimize additional interest and penalty charges;
prevent further action from being taken on the account or against you; and
preserve your appeal rights if you don’t agree.

If you need more time to respond than the notice or letter indicates, contact the IRS using the contact information included on the notice or letter or call the general number, shown below, but only if a specific contact is not indicated.

4. How and Where to Reply

All notices and letters should tell you where to send your response, whether it’s to a mailing address or fax number. (Note: The IRS generally does not allow communication via email yet, although they are currently working on developing some alternative digital communication options.)

Most correspondence can be handled without calling or visiting an IRS office if you follow the instructions in your notice or letter.

5. What If I Want to Talk to Someone?

Each notice or letter should include contact information. Some phone numbers on notices or letters are general IRS toll-free numbers, but if a specific employee is working your case, it will show a specific phone number to reach that employee or the department manager. The telephone number is usually found in the upper right-hand corner of your notice or letter.

As a last resort, you can use the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040. Have a copy of your tax return and the correspondence available when you call. But your best option is to use the specific number or address provided.

6. When Should I Ask for Help?

You can resolve most notices or letters without help, but you can also get the help of a professional – either the person who prepared your return, or another tax professional.

If you can’t afford to hire a tax professional to assist you, you may be eligible for free or low cost representation from an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled agent associated with a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). In addition, LITCs can provide language assistance if you speak English as a second language and need help understanding the notice or letter. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page at www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/litcmap or IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. This Publication is also available online at www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-3676.

If your IRS problem is causing you financial hardship, you’ve tried repeatedly and aren’t receiving a response from the IRS, or you feel your taxpayer rights are not being respected, consider contacting us, the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

7. What Are Your Rights?

Every taxpayer has ten Rights when dealing with the IRS. For example, the Right to Be Informed, means the IRS should give you clear instructions about what you need to do to comply. You also have the Right to Pay No More Than the Correct Amount of Tax and the Right to Challenge the IRS’s Position and Be Heard. So, exercise those Rights and reply to the notice or letter if you disagree with the IRS, or provide the information needed so the IRS can get it right.

If any of those Rights aren’t being respected, again, you can contact us for assistance.

Taxpayer Advocate Service Resources

I got a notice from the IRS
Taxpayer RoadMap
(The Roadmap is available in both English and Spanish. It illustrates, at a very high level, the stages of a taxpayer’s journey, from getting answers to tax law questions, all the way through audits, appeals, collection, and litigation. This tool can help taxpayers identify where their tax return is in the system and what they may need to do or expect next.) Note: TAS is working on expanding and developing these further to assist taxpayers in navigating IRS processes. Watch for more news on this in the future.
NTA Blog: The IRS Should Redesign Its Notices Using Psychological, Cognitive, and Behavioral Science Insights to Protect Taxpayer Rights, Enhance Taxpayer Understanding, and Reduce Taxpayer Burden
MULTILINGUAL NOTICES: The IRS Undermines Taxpayer Rights When It Does Not Provide Notices in Foreign Languages
COMBINATION LETTERS: Combination Letters May Confuse Taxpayers and Undermine Taxpayer Rights
Taxpayer Rights

IRS Resources

Source: taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov