Receiving an IRS letter about a tax refund review usually means your return was selected for routine screening, income verification, or potential errors, often leading to a temporary hold (e.g., CP05 notice). Common reasons include mismatches in W-2/1099 forms, high deductions, claiming credits like EITC/ACTC, or identity verification. This does not necessarily mean you are being audited or made an error, but it does delay your refund.
If the IRS is reviewing your return, it may have questions about your wages and withholding, or credits or expenses shown on your tax return. The review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.
Why is my return being reviewed? (updated Aug. 7, 2024) While we accept most tax returns as filed, we select some for review. The IRS reviews some federal tax returns to determine if income, expenses, and credits are reported accurately.
District offices select returns randomly sometimes for special research programs, but generally the returns are selected because they have good audit potential. The potential is discovered by a computerized system called the Discriminant Function System (DIF). In most cases, the decisionmaker is not the auditor.
Unreported income
The IRS receives copies of your W-2s and 1099s, and their systems automatically compare this data to the amounts you report on your tax return. A discrepancy, such as a 1099 that isn't reported on your return, could trigger further review.
We'll find a professional perfectly matched to your needs. Getting started is easy, fast and free. So, what does your tax return being reviewed mean? If your tax return is under review, the IRS is examining it to ensure that it is accurate and in accordance with tax laws.
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.
The IRS has no maximum time limit when it comes to processing tax refunds, but after 45 days, it is required to pay interest on your refund. In most cases, you can expect the IRS to issue your tax refund within 21 days of filing your tax return.
You may face an IRS audit after an IRS review. If the IRS reviews your information and detects inaccuracies in your tax returns, it may conduct a comprehensive audit to look into the matter further.
The stages of an IRS refund are: (1) Return Received, where the IRS acknowledges receipt of your return; (2) Return Reviewed, where the return is checked for accuracy; and (3) Refund Approved/Sent, where the refund amount is finalized and issued.
Processing your refund usually takes: Up to 21 days for an e-filed return. 6 weeks or more for returns sent by mail.
A review does not automatically mean you are being audited. The IRS may only want to verify some details. If concerns persist, they might request more information. Most reviews end without a full audit.
What should I do? Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). Request a manual refund expedited to you.
Once the IRS completes the examination, it may accept your return as filed or propose changes. These changes may affect the amount of tax you owe or the amount of your refund.
Why you received IRS Notice CP05. The IRS selected your return for review to verify one or more items on the return. The IRS is holding your refund pending the outcome of the review.
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.
Common IRS audit triggers
A tax audit is a review of your tax return to verify that your income and deductions are accurate. Audits can originate from multiple sources, including the IRS. We'll contact you in writing if your return is under audit. Your letter may include the following: What tax year(s) and issue(s) we are reviewing.
This notice lets you know that your return is being reviewed to verify any or all of the following: Your income. Your tax withholding. Tax credits you claimed on your return.
Why is my return being reviewed? We select some returns to review so we can determine whether income, expenses, and credits are reported correctly. This doesn't mean you made an error or were dishonest.
Errors on or Incomplete Tax Returns: Your refund may be delayed for something as simple as a forgotten signature, mathematical errors or if the income reported by you doesn't match what your employer or other third-party payers have reported.
Not reporting all of your income is an easy-to-avoid red flag that can lead to an audit. Taking excessive business tax deductions and mixing business and personal expenses can lead to an audit. The IRS mostly audits tax returns of those earning more than $200,000 and corporations with more than $10 million in assets.
The government has no legal obligation to notify you that you're under investigation. There is no constitutional right to know that prosecutors are building a case against you.
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.