The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) communicates with taxpayers through notices and letters for various reasons. These correspondences provide important information regarding tax-related matters and require prompt attention. Ignoring or discarding IRS mail can lead to severe consequences, including penalties and interest charges.
Reasons for IRS Notices and Letters
The IRS sends notices and letters for the following reasons:
- Balance Due: You owe taxes to the IRS.
- Refund: You are entitled to a tax refund.
- Tax Return Inquiry: The IRS has questions about your tax return.
- Identity Verification: The IRS needs to verify your identity.
- Additional Information Request: The IRS requires additional information to process your tax return.
- Return Modification: The IRS has made changes to your tax return.
- Processing Delays: The IRS is experiencing delays in processing your tax return.
What to Do When You Receive an IRS Notice or Letter
1. Don’t Ignore It: IRS notices and letters contain crucial information that you should not disregard.
2. Keep It for Your Records: Retain all IRS notices and letters for future reference, especially if they relate to adjustments to your tax return or advance payments of tax credits.
3. Don’t Panic: Most IRS notices and letters are routine communications that do not require immediate action.
4. Respond Only When Instructed: Unless specifically requested, there is no need to respond to IRS notices or letters. However, if you owe taxes, you should make a payment promptly to avoid additional charges.
5. Take Timely Action: Address any issues raised in the notice or letter within the specified timeframe to minimize penalties and interest.
6. Review the Information Carefully: If the notice or letter pertains to a modified tax return, compare the information with your original return and note any corrections.
7. Dispute if Necessary: If you disagree with the IRS’s findings, submit a written explanation of your dispute to the address provided in the notice or letter. Include supporting documentation for the IRS to review.
8. Avoid Phone Calls: Contacting the IRS by phone is generally not necessary. However, if you must call, use the number provided in the upper right-hand corner of the notice or letter and have a copy of your tax return and the notice or letter on hand.
9. Beware of Scams: The IRS will never initiate contact via social media or text message. If you are unsure whether you owe money to the IRS, visit IRS.gov to view your tax account information.
Additional Resources
Received an IRS Letter in the Mail? Here’s What To Do
FAQ
What happens if the IRS sends you a letter?
What does an IRS audit letter envelope look like?
What does a letter from the Department of Treasury mean?
How does the IRS notify you of an audit?
Why does the IRS send a letter to a taxpayer?
Every year the IRS mails letters or notices to taxpayers for many different reasons. Typically, it’s about a specific issue with a taxpayer’s federal tax return or tax account. A notice may tell them about changes to their account or ask for more information. It could also tell them they need to make a payment.
Why does the IRS send notices & letters?
The IRS sends notices and letters for the following reasons: You have a balance due. You are due a larger or smaller refund. We have a question about your tax return. We need to verify your identity. We need additional information. We changed your return. We need to notify you of delays in processing your return.
Should you get a letter from the IRS?
Getting a letter from the IRS can make some taxpayers nervous – but there’s no need to panic. The IRS sends notices and letters when it needs to ask a question about a taxpayer’s tax return, let them know about a change to their account or request a payment. Read the letter carefully.
What if I receive a letter from the IRS this year?
File your taxes with confidence. Your max tax refund is guaranteed. If you receive a letter this year from the IRS, don’t be alarmed. After every tax season, the agency sends out a variety of notices to taxpayers. Not every letter means there’s an impending audit coming your way. Many of the notices are routine and can easily be resolved.