September 26, 2022
Receiving an IRS notice in the mail can be scary, but the situation can be less daunting if you know what to do. First, it’s important to note that not all IRS notices are negative as some are only informational. In any case, taxpayers should know what steps to take upon receiving an IRS notice.
Do Review Your IRS Notice
The IRS will send notices for a variety of reasons, from notifying you of a balance due, to informing you of a delay in processing your return, whether your return is missing a schedule or form required for processing, to informing you of a potential audit. Carefully review your notice for important information, and If you’re unsure of what the notice means, you can look up the CP or LTR number, located on the top or bottom right-hand corner of the notice. If you’ve received a letter from the IRS and need help understanding what it means you can analyze your IRS notice in three easy steps with the Optima® TAX APP.
Do Respond in a Timely Manner
If the information on the notice looks inaccurate, you should respond with a written dispute. Doing so in a timely manner can help minimize interest and penalty fees. Be sure to include any information and supplemental documentation to support your case. Typically, the IRS should respond to disputes within 30 days.
Do Check for Scams
Remember that the IRS will never contact you via text message or social media. In fact, initial contact from the IRS is usually via mail. If the notice does not appear credible, you can always check your online tax account on the IRS website to confirm balances due, communication preferences, and more.
Do Not Ignore the Notice
Some IRS notices are purely informational and require no additional action. However, do not assume this is always the case and ignore the notice. Simple mistakes made on your return or underreporting income can result in the IRS requesting action from you. A notice can also be a notification that you owe taxes and will give instructions on how to pay the balance by the due date.
Do Not Reply Unless Instructed To Do So
Typically, a response is not needed. Once you confirm a response is not required, you can proceed with other actions. Even if the notice informs you of a balance due, there is no need to contact the IRS unless you do not agree with the information on the notice.
Tax Relief for Those Who Owe
The best thing to do to avoid receiving warnings from the IRS is to always ensure that you remain compliant with tax law. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you owe the IRS, tax relief is always an option. If you need tax help, give Optima a call at 800-536-0734 for a free consultation with one of our tax professionals.