IRS Notice

What is an IRS notice?

An IRS notice is a formal communication from the Internal Revenue Service regarding your federal tax account. The IRS sends notices by mail to the last known address on file. Notices cover a range of issues from simple confirmations to audit findings to collection warnings. The notice number, found in the upper right corner, identifies the specific notice type and helps determine the appropriate response.

Why the IRS sends notices

Information matching programs compare your return to W-2s, 1099s, and other reports. Mathematical errors trigger automatic corrections. Audit selection identifies returns for closer examination. Unpaid balances generate collection notices. Changes to your account from amended returns or audit adjustments produce confirmation notices. Each has different implications and response requirements.

Protecting yourself

Keep your address current with the IRS. Retrieve mail regularly. Open IRS correspondence immediately rather than letting it sit unopened. Track response deadlines on a calendar. Retain copies of all responses sent. Use certified mail for substantive responses to prove timely filing. If you receive a notice you do not understand, seek professional help before the deadline passes.