Ask Maxi · IRS letters
I got a letter from the IRS. What do I do?
Find the notice number in the corner and the response date, then check the letter against your return before you pay, call or set it aside.
Most IRS letters are about a mismatch, a math error or a missing form. Very few mean what people fear, and almost all of them can be fixed if you answer by the date on the letter.
Do this first:
- Open it. The response window starts on the date printed on the letter, not the day you read it.
- Find the notice number, usually in the top or bottom right corner, like CP14, CP2000 or LTR 5071C. It tells you what kind of letter it is.
- Find the response date. That is the date that matters.
- Check that it is real. The IRS starts contact by mail, not by text, email or social media. Never call a number from an email.
- Compare it with your return. Is the income they list yours? Did you already pay?
What not to do:
- Do not pay a balance you think is wrong just to make it go away. You can agree, partly agree, or disagree with documents.
- Do not send your whole return back. Answer only what the letter asks.
- Do not wait for the next letter. Each one adds cost and narrows your options.
Find your letter by its number. Type it into the Ask Maxi box and its page comes up:
- You owe a balance: CP14, CP501, CP502, CP503, CP71, CP161
- The IRS plans to collect: CP504, LT11 or Letter 1058, CP90, CP523
- The IRS changed your return: CP11, CP12, CP22A, CP49
- Your income does not match: CP2501, CP2000, CP3219A
- Your identity or refund is on hold: Letter 5071C, Letter 4883C, CP05
- The IRS has no return from you: CP59
- An audit letter
Send us a photo of the first page of the notice. We will tell you what it means for you and what to do next.
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