Published: July 14, 2023   |   Last Updated: July 19, 2023

TAS Tax Tip: What if I receive an IRS notice that says something is wrong with my 2022 tax return?

Don’t panic! It is important to remember – not all correspondence from the IRS necessarily contains bad news. 

It is the IRS’s responsibility to make sure your tax return is as accurate as it can be while it is processed and verified. These verification checks can include anything from finding and fixing basic mathematical errors to checking for required attachments, like schedules that support a credit or deduction you are claiming. The IRS also checks to confirm the amounts shown on your return match what banks, employers, third parties, and other government agencies have reported. In some cases, these checks may identify a credit that if you if you are eligible, could result in a bigger refund. 

What should I do if I get correspondence regarding my tax return? 

Open it, read it, and keep it in a safe place (in case you need it later). IRS correspondence always tells you why the IRS is writing, what topic it is about, and either what you need to do in response and by when, or it will tell you that you don’t need to reply at all. 

Letters and notices aren’t always easy to understand. So, here are three resources we recommend you use if you want more help understanding that particular notice or letter: 

• Taxpayer Advocate Service’s Taxpayer Roadmap: Use the ‘Did you get a notice from the IRS?’ look-up feature to find a simplified explanation of why it is being sent. Then click on the ‘See notice details’ area to find a fuller explanation of why it is being sent, what this means for you and what next steps you should take. It also provides additional links to related resources you may need to see or use to provide missing information. 
• Taxpayer Advocate Service’s Get Help pages: These webpages provide detailed instructions to help you resolve the most common issues we see by yourself. They are grouped by categories. For return processing issues, start with I Got a Notice From the IRS. Then if needed review specific topics that apply to your situation like, I Made a Mistake on My Return or I Need Help Resolving My Balance Due. 
• IRS’s Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter page: These pages explain why notices are sent and contain a search feature to find your specific notice and related information. 

Note: To find the correspondence number look in either the top or bottom right-hand corner. They will generally be preceded by the letters CP or LTR. 

Do I need to reply? 

Whether you need to reply or not will depend on the issue. 

If you agree with the information or change listed, sometimes there is no need to reply. Other times, even if you do agree, you may need to provide specific information to resolve the issue, particularly if you need to verify your identity or if a schedule is missing. In most tax return processing situations, you generally have 60 days to reply, but be sure to go by the date specified in your letter. 

If you disagree, the letter should outline how to dispute the issue, including what action(s) is needed and a date to complete the action by, as well information about your Taxpayer Rights. 

Whether you agree or not, if it requires a reply – do not delay! You must reply by the date required or you may lose certain resolution options or may also have to pay in full before the IRS will consider your position. See more on this below. 

When to respond 

If your notice or letter requires a response by a specific date, there are many reasons you’ll want to comply. Here are just a few: 

• minimize additional interest and penalty charges; 
• prevent further action from being taken on the account or against you; and 
• preserve your appeal rights if you don’t agree. 

If you need more time to respond than indicated, contact the IRS using the contact information provided. 

How and where to reply 

The correspondence should tell you exactly where to send your response, whether it’s to a mailing address or fax number. Follow the instructions.