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.
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.
Not All Letters from the IRS Are Bad
For instance, the IRS may seek additional information about a limited aspect of your tax return. However, the position you took may be completely justified and supported by the evidence. Thus, once you submit the information to the IRS, the problem is resolved.
Allow at least 30 days for a response. Usually, you don't have to call or visit an IRS office to handle this correspondence. However, if you have questions, call the telephone number in the upper right corner of the notice. Have a copy of your tax return and the correspondence available when you call.
October 2023 Update – The IRS has resumed sending CP501, CP503, and CP504 collection notices in limited circumstances. The IRS has resumed sending out some automated collection notices to taxpayers with outstanding balances due.
When the IRS needs to ask a question about a taxpayer's tax return, notify them about a change to their account, or request a payment, the agency often mails a letter or notice to the taxpayer. Getting mail from the IRS is not a cause for panic but, it should not be ignored either.
The IRS audit letter will come in an envelope that is labeled “Official Business” and will include the IRS logo. The letter will usually begin with the words “We are auditing your” followed by the type of tax return, such as “income tax return”.
However, if you don't agree with the letter, it's important for you to respond. Write to explain why you disagree and include any information and documents you want the IRS to consider. Mail your reply to the address shown in the letter along with the bottom tear-off portion of the letter, if provided.
Determining if you owe back taxes may be as simple as filing or amending a previous year's tax return. Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040. You can also call the IRS to get more information on your outstanding tax bill.
Note that the IRS doesn't: Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes. Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
Often, the IRS will send a certified letter because you're being audited. You might also receive a certified letter if the IRS has issues related to your tax return or you owe back taxes. If your tax return was missing information, the IRS might first send you a letter by regular mail, which might not be certified.
Are all notices available online? Not all notices are available online, please continue to check your postal mail for IRS notices. You can sign up to receive email notifications when new notices are available on your profile in your online account.
It is important to mention that NOT all letters and notices that you receive from the IRS are necessarily bad. In certain circumstances, the IRS may send you a letter or notice communicating the fact that there was a math error and the IRS has corrected it in your favor.
The IRS usually sends audit letters to taxpayers within the first few years after filing a tax return. This can vary depending on different factors.
If you don't respond by the due dates in the letter, the IRS may disallow what you claimed on your return and issue a Statutory Notice of Deficiency. This is a legal notice the IRS is proposing an additional deficiency (balance due).
Remember, you will be contacted initially by mail. The IRS will provide all contact information and instructions in the letter you will 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.
Balance of $10,000 or below
If you owe less than $10,000 to the IRS, your installment plan will generally be automatically approved as a "guaranteed" installment agreement. Under this type of plan, as long as you pledge to pay off your balance within three years, there is no specific minimum payment required.
Conclusion. You may owe taxes even if you claim 0. This occurs when you set your relationship status as “married,” giving the impression that you are the only one who works. Combined, the income surpasses the tax bracket, resulting in a higher tax.
If you don't pay the amount shown as tax you owe on your return, we calculate the failure to pay penalty in this way: The failure to pay penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month the tax remains unpaid. The penalty won't exceed 25% of your unpaid taxes.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send a notice or a letter for any number of reasons. It may be about a specific issue on your federal tax return or account, or may tell you about changes to your account, ask you for more information, or request a payment.
Your employer reports your wages and withholdings to the IRS, but that data paints an incomplete picture. Although the agency knows your income, only you know your credits, deductions and other key information needed to process your return and determine how much you owe the IRS or how much the IRS owes you.
The IRS performs audits by mail or in person. The notice you receive will have specific information about why your return is being examined, what documents if any they need from you, and how you should proceed. Once the IRS completes the examination, it may accept your return as filed or propose changes.
Usually, the IRS sends certified letters to inform taxpayers of issues that need attention. Some common reasons for certified letters include an outstanding balance, refund issues, return questions, identification verification, missing information, return changes, and processing delays.
If you are audited and found guilty of tax evasion or tax avoidance, you may face a fine of up to $100,000 and be guilty of a felony as provided under Section 7201 of the tax code.
“Generally, the IRS can include returns filed within the last three years in an audit. If we identify a substantial error, we may add additional years. We usually don't go back more than the last six years. The IRS tries to audit tax returns as soon as possible after they are filed”