Why was I notified by the IRS?
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.
- IRS needs to verify your identity.IRS needs additional information.
- IRS changed your return.
- IRS needs to notify you of delays in processing your return.
Next Steps
Read
Each notice or letter contains a lot of valuable information, so it’s very important that you read it carefully.
If IRS changed your tax return, compare the information we provided in the notice or letter with the information in your original return.
Respond
If your notice or letter requires a response by a specific date, there are two main reasons you’ll want to comply:
- to minimize additional interest and penalty charges.
- to preserve your appeal rights if you don’t agree.
Pay
Pay as much as you can, even if you can’t pay the full amount you owe.
You can pay online or apply for an Online Payment Agreement or Offer in Compromise. Contact us for more information.
Keep a copy of your notice or letter
It’s important to keep a copy of all notices or letters with your tax records.
You may need these documents at a later date.
Contact IRS
IRS provides their contact phone number on the top right-hand corner of the notice or letter.
Typically, you only need to contact IRS if you don’t agree with the information, if IRS requested additional information, or if you have a balance due.
You can also write to IRS at the address in the notice or letter.
If you write, allow at least 30 days for IRS response.
The location of the notice or letter number
You can find the notice (CP) or letter (LTR) number on either the top or the bottom right-hand corner of your correspondence.
Expenses — Save receipts of your expenses. You can lower the amount of tax you owe by deducting certain expenses. (See Get Ready to File below.)
Income — Keep records of money you receive from gig work and sales. You must report all income on your tax return, even if you don’t receive Forms 1099 from the businesses that pay you.
Do you work as an employee and do gig work on the side? You may avoid making estimated tax payments on your gig income by withholding more tax from your employee paycheck. Use the Tax Withholding Estimator. Then fill out a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate and give it to your employer.
When to pay — Estimated tax payments are due four times a year:
- April 15 for payment period January 1–March 31
- June 15 for payment period April 1–May 31
- September 15 for payment period June 1–August 31
- January 15 for payment period September 1–December 31
Note: If these due dates fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the payments are due the next business day.
How to pay — Pay online or by mail or phone (refer to Form 1040-ES).
How to estimate — Use one of these forms to figure your estimated taxes:
- Form 1040-ES, Estimated Taxes for Individuals
- Form 1040-ES (NR), U.S. Estimated Tax for Nonresident Alien Individuals
For comprehensive information on paying estimated tax including exceptions, the underpayment penalty and methods to figure amount of payment, review Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax.