IRS letter help
How to Respond to an IRS Letter
Most IRS letters can be answered in an orderly way: confirm it is yours, decide whether you agree, send what it asks for by the date on it, and keep a record. Here is the sequence.
Reviewed by LaToya Clark-Thompson, FounderLast updated
Before you reply
- Confirm the letter is real and about your account; see is this IRS letter real?
- Find the response date and work backward from it
- Read the whole letter, including the back of each page and any enclosures
- Pull out the return it refers to, and compare what the IRS says with what you filed
- Decide which of three situations you are in: you agree, you disagree, or you agree but cannot pay
If you agree
Do what the letter asks. For a balance, pay by the date on it, or set up a payment plan; see payment plan options. For a proposed change, such as a CP2000, sign and return the response form if it asks for one. If a federal change affects your South Carolina return, an amended state return usually follows.
If you disagree
- Answer only the items the letter raises, one at a time
- Write a short, plain statement for each item: what you think is right and why
- Attach copies of the documents that support each point, and label which item each one supports
- If a third party reported something wrong (a 1099 for income you did not receive), ask the payer for a corrected form and say you have done so
- Include the reply stub or response form, and put your name and taxpayer ID on every page
- Never send originals
Ask for more time before the date passes if you need it. Most letters give a phone number for that. Some deadlines, such as the Tax Court date on a CP3219A, cannot be extended.
How to send it
Use the method the letter lists: an upload link, a fax number, or a mailing address, and sometimes your IRS Online Account. If you mail it, use a method that gives you proof of mailing. Keep a complete copy of what you sent, with the date, and a note of any call: the date, the name or ID number of the person, and what they said.
Answering the letter is not the same as paying it. If you owe and agree, paying or setting up a plan stops collection letters such as CP504 from following.
When to get help
Get help if the letter proposes a large change, involves a business or payroll account, concerns an audit, mentions a lien or levy, or relates to years you did not file, such as a CP518. We prepare the supporting documents, rebuild missing records, and prepare any corrected or late returns; see amended tax returns and back tax filing. Speaking with the IRS on your behalf is handled by the independent licensed CPA we work with, with our office coordinating; see IRS audit defense.
To start, send every page of the letter, front and back, through the secure client portal, along with the return it refers to and whatever records you have.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to call the IRS or write back?
It depends on the letter. For a quick question or to ask for more time, calling the number on the letter is often fastest. For a disagreement, a written reply with documents creates a record of exactly what you said and sent. Many people do both: call to clarify, then send the documents in writing.
What if I miss the response date on an IRS letter?
Respond anyway, as soon as you can. For many letters the IRS will still consider information after the date, though it may have already made the change or sent a bill, and you may have to ask to reopen it. For legal deadlines like a Tax Court petition date, a late filing generally cannot be accepted.
Should I send the IRS my whole tax file?
No. Send only what supports the items the letter raises, organized and labeled. Sending everything makes it harder for the IRS to find what matters and can raise questions about items that were never in dispute. If you are unsure what is relevant, ask before you send.
How long does the IRS take to process a response?
It varies by notice and by workload, and the IRS does not commit to a set time. Some letters say when you can expect to hear back. Until the matter is closed, keep a copy of your reply and proof that you sent it, and check your IRS Online Account for updates.
Not the question you had? The full tax FAQ covers more ground, and our client reviews say what the work is actually like.
Related pages
How to read an IRS letter
Where the notice number, tax year, amount and response date sit on the page, and what each means.
Learn moreIs this IRS letter real?
How the IRS really contacts you, what it never does, and how to check a letter safely.
Learn moreIRS payment plan options
The Simple Payment Plan, other installment agreements, short-term plans, hardship status and offers.
Learn moreCP2000 notice
Third-party records do not match your return. A proposal you can agree with, or dispute with documents.
Learn morePart of IRS & SC Letter Help. Not sure which service fits? Answer a few questions.
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