UNDERSTANDING YOUR IRS NOTICE OR LETTER:

Have your clients sent you a notice they received and you were unable to determine the problem? The IRS has a page on their website, “Understanding your IRS notice or letter” that helps to interpret the various notices.

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.
• 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.

NEXT STEPS

Read

Each notice or letter contains a lot of valuable information, so it’s very important that you read it carefully. If we 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.

You should reply as indicated on your letter or notice that could include mail, FAX, or digitally through the IRS’ Documentation Upload Tool.