Yes, the IRS is actively sending letters and notices by mail, including automated collection notices for tax debts and, starting in 2024, special reminders to taxpayers who have not received notices in over a year. These letters address balance dues, return errors, or identity verification, and are sometimes sent by private collection agencies.
The IRS sends letters now (typically early in the year or year-round) for various reasons, including matching tax return info to third-party data (like W-2s/1099s), questioning discrepancies, requesting identity verification, notifying of account changes, asking for payments on balances due, or informing you about a return processing delay or change to your return, so you should always open and read IRS mail carefully, as it requires action or provides important info about your taxes, often concerning a discrepancy.
You receive a notice or letter from the IRS about a balance due on your account, missing returns, a lien, or a levy. There are several collection alternatives available to you to resolve these issues.
To tell if an IRS letter is real, check for typos and poor grammar, verify it contains specific personal info (like the last 4 of your SSN), look for an official notice number (CP or LTR) and logo, and ensure it doesn't demand immediate payment via gift cards or threaten arrest, as scammers do. If in doubt, log into your secure IRS Online Account or call an official IRS phone number (not one from the letter) to verify.
A notice may reference changes to a taxpayer's account, taxes owed, a payment request or a specific issue on a tax return. Taking prompt action could minimize additional interest and penalty charges.
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.
Audit risk in 2025 is driven by both individual behavior and IRS algorithms. Common triggers include high income, unusually large deductions, unreported freelance income, filing errors, and business classification issues.
Check which tax year the notice is for and follow the instructions provided; you usually have 30 days to respond. Compare the IRS adjustments to your records and tax return. If you agree with the notice, indicate that on the response form and send a check or money order for any additional taxes due.
If you receive an IRS notice or letter
We may send you a notice or letter if: You have a balance due. Your refund has changed. We have a question about your return.
unfamiliar branding – do you know this company? not using your name – do they really know who you are? bad spelling and grammar. poor quality logos, design and photography.
Look for the official IRS logo and letterhead, including the correct address and phone number. Dates should be recent, accurate, and accurately formatted (month spelled out), and they should include official IRS security or file numbers you can refer to for more information. A fake letter won't have this information.
What happens if you ignore it: After the deadline passes, the IRS can levy bank accounts, garnish wages, and seize property without further notice. You lose critical appeal rights that would have stopped these actions.
Some IRS notices are sent via certified mail, such as the Notice of Intent to Levy, while others are mailed via regular post, like changes made to your tax return. Read all IRS letters and notices you receive, both certified and via regular mail. Do not ignore any of them.
The IRS mails letters or notices to taxpayers for a variety of reasons including:
Common reasons the IRS may send you a letter
You owe a balance on your tax return and need to make a payment. Your tax refund has been adjusted by the IRS. You have questions on your return that the IRS wants clarified. You need to verify your identity to prevent fraud.
An IRS audit letter typically contains the taxpayer's name, tax ID number, contact information, and a request for additional documentation to support claims on the tax return. It may also include the name of the IRS officer handling the case and invite the taxpayer to a meeting.
Victims of fake IRS letters may be enticed into providing sensitive personal and financial information, exposing them to identity theft. Scammers may also try to trick taxpayers into making fraudulent payments directly to their bank account instead of the IRS, causing individuals to lose substantial amounts of money.
Review common IRS letters and notices: Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter. Contact IRS customer service directly to authenticate it. Verify any collection notice from a private collection agency has the same Taxpayer Authentication Number as the Notice CP40 the taxpayer received from the IRS.
Don't reply unless instructed to do so.
There is usually no need for a taxpayer to reply to a notice unless specifically instructed to do so. On the other hand, taxpayers who owe should reply with a payment. IRS.gov has information about payment options.
You know the IRS might be investigating you through official mail (first contact), phone calls (often with automated messages to IRS.gov), or in-person visits, but signs of a criminal probe include contact with IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) agents, subpoenas to you or your bank, questions to your accountant/bank, unusual account activity (freezing/refusing transactions), or agents suddenly going silent after an audit. Key indicators are official IRS letters, contact from CI special agents, third-party inquiries, and formal summonses for records, signaling serious scrutiny beyond a simple audit.
You can find digital copies of most IRS notices in your online account, under the 'Notices and Letters' section.
What If You Ignore an IRS Notice? The IRS will continue its collection actions, charge penalties and interest, and even seize your assets if you ignore notices about an unpaid balance or unfiled return. Some notices may be informational, but you should still read them carefully.
Remember, you will be contacted initially by mail. The IRS will provide all contact information and instructions in the letter you receive. If we conduct your audit by mail, our letter will request additional information about certain items shown on the tax return such as income, expenses, and itemized deductions.