The IRS and authorized private debt collection agencies do send letters by mail. Taxpayers can also view digital copies of select IRS notices by logging into their IRS Online Account.
To verify the IRS sent the letter or notice, you can search for it on IRS.gov. Some letters are sent from private collection agencies.
The US Postal Service has a tracking tool that lets you know when you can expect your tax refund to land in your mailbox. It's called Informed Delivery, and the free service sends you alerts for all new mail -- and transmits images of the front of letters so you know exactly what's arriving.
Check your federal tax return status online
If you are receiving a tax refund, check its status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool.
If the letter doesn't appear in your search or if it looks suspicious, call 800-829-1040. Follow the IRS representative's instructions.
Below are a few things you should know about IRS notices — just in case one shows up in your mailbox. requested in the notice. Allow at least 30 days for a response.
The IRS sends a variety of notices and letters via certified mail to ensure that important tax matters are effectively communicated to taxpayers. These notices, which often relate to tax liability or unpaid taxes, require timely attention and action.
Letters and notices
If a taxpayer gets a suspicious letter or notice, they can check to see if it's really the IRS: Log in to their secure IRS Online Account to find a copy of the notice or letter. Contact IRS customer service to verify it, if they weren't able to do so in their Online Account.
If the 4506-T information is successfully validated, tax filers can expect to receive a paper IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter at the address provided on their request within 5 to 10 days. Sign the IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter.
You can view your tax records in your Individual Online Account. This is the fastest, easiest way to: View, print or download your transcripts. Find out how much you owe.
IRS stated that it is taking several steps in advance of resuming normal IRS collection notices for tax years 2020 and 2021 to help taxpayers with unpaid tax bills, including some people who have not received a notice from the IRS in more than a year; including issuing a special reminder letter starting January 2024.
You can find digital copies of most IRS notices in your online account, under the 'Notices and Letters' section.
What is a 5071C letter? The IRS sends a 5071C letter when it receives a tax return with your name and tax identification number, but believes the return to be fraudulent. A Letter 5071C will ask you to complete an online identity verification process to confirm your identity.
Claim a refund
If you are due a refund for withholding or estimated taxes, you must file your return to claim it within 3 years of the return due date. The same rule applies to a right to claim tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit.
Most IRS letters and notices are about federal tax returns or tax accounts. Each notice deals with a specific issue and includes specific instructions on what to do. A notice may reference changes to a taxpayer's account, taxes owed, a payment request or a specific issue on a tax return.
Contact an IRS customer service representative to correct any agency errors by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).
Taxpayers receiving these notices can respond securely to IRS online, regardless of whether they have an IRS Online Account.
You can use the USPS Informed Delivery service to track and manage your mail and packages without the need for the tracking number. Simply sign up for Informed Delivery on the USPS website to gain access to tracking information for your incoming mail.
You have to use a system USPS calls "Informed Visibility" tracking. It's available to all business mailers, and it works for any envelopes, cards, tri-folds, etc. that you send. Informed Visibility tracking is great for small to medium-volume shippers who aren't using parcel services but still need tracking.