Why would I get a letter from the IRS in the mail?
Taxpayers may receive an IRS notice as the agency requires to share updates regarding:
- a balance due
- an adjusted refund
- an identity check
- a math correction
- a processing delay
Most letters received are not audits.
What are the most common reasons the IRS sends mail?
The IRS sends mail for specific reasons as outlined below:
- Owing taxes or a penalty payment
- The refund amount has changed
- The agency needs more details about the return
- They need to verify the ID
- They fixed a math error on the return
- The return is taking longer than expected to process
Does an IRS letter always mean an audit?
No. Most IRS mail consists of routine account updates.
In the case of actually facing an audit, the letter will specifically ask to prove items on the return, like the income items & expenses or deductions. If the notice asks for the records, lists the tax year under review, and indicates a deadline, you might be facing an exam.
How can you tell what the letter is about?
The fastest way to recognize it is to look for the notice number. Find the CP or LTR code on the initial page & look it up on the IRS website.
The following sections should be read right away:
- The reason for the notice
- The tax year in question
- Any amount owed or changes to the refund
- Deadline to reply
- Instructions for mailing or uploading your response
The documents inside state exactly what the IRS requires as well as the next actions.
What should be done after opening the letter?
The deadline information should be checked immediately. Afterwards, read the notice all the way through before taking action. The IRS initiates most communication by mail & expects you to take the specific instructions provided into consideration.
- Keep the envelope along with all pages
- Compare the notice against the tax return
- Gather only the documentation the IRS requested
- Reply using the exact method listed
- Save a complete copy of the response
Dimov Audit assists with IRS letters
In the case of receiving IRS mail and you are not sure what it means, contact us at Dimov Audit. Our professionals are here to review the notice, explain what the IRS is asking for, and establish a complete response package.
