Once you’ve filed your return and received your refund, you’re done, right? Each year the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers for a variety of reasons, such as:
- There’s a balance due
- The refund is incorrect
- The IRS has a question about the return
- The IRS needs to verify your identity
- The IRS needs additional information
- The IRS changed your return
- There’s a delay in the processing of the return
Some of the more common types of letters include:
- CP14, a notice that there is money owed on unpaid taxes.
- CP2000, a notice of proposed adjustment for underpayment or overpayment.
- CP2501, an initial contact letter stating the information on your return doesn’t match what the IRS has on file.
- Letter 2205-A, a notification that the IRS has selected your return for examination (audit).
- Letter 2625C, a notification asking an employer/payer to clarify income from Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and the Form 1099 series.
- Letter 3219, Notice of Deficiency, informing you that you owe additional tax, interest and penalties and explaining your right to petition the Tax Court. The IRS issues this notice if it did not receive a response to proposed adjustments to your return, or if a return was requested, the IRS did not receive the return and prepared a return on your behalf, resulting in a balance due.
If you receive a letter, don’t panic. Keep a copy and give us a call. We’ll work with you to determine the next steps. If there’s a due date for a response, we can work together and agree or disagree with the change. If you disagree with a letter, we can write the IRS to explain your side of the story. The IRS will generally respond after 30 days. And, remember, the IRS will not initiate contact by phone. If you receive a call out of the blue, be suspicious. We’ll work with you to determine whether a call is legitimate.
