If You Get an IRS Notice, Here’s What to Do

July 13, 2013

Each year the IRS mails millions of notices and letters to taxpayers. If you receive a notice from the IRS, here is what you should do:

  • Don’t Ignore It. You can respond to most IRS notices quickly and easily. It is important that you reply right away.
  • Follow Instructions. Read the notice carefully. It will tell you if you need to take any action to resolve the matter. You should follow the instructions.
  • Correction Notice. If it says that the IRS corrected your tax return, you should review the information provided and compare it to your tax return.If you agree, you don’t need to reply unless a payment is due.If you don’t agree, it’s important that you respond to the IRS. Write a letter that explains why you don’t agree. Make sure to include information and any documents you want the IRS to consider. Include the bottom tear-off portion of the notice with your letter. Mail your reply to the IRS at the address shown in the lower left part of the notice. Allow at least 30 days for a response from the IRS.
  • Premium Tax Credit. The IRS may send you a letter asking you to clarify or verify your premium tax credit information. The letter may ask for a copy of your Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. You should follow the instructions on the letter that you receive. This will help the IRS verify information and issue the appropriate refund.
  • No Need to Visit IRS. You can handle most notices without calling or visiting the IRS. If you do have questions, call the phone number in the upper right corner of the notice. You should have a copy of your tax return and the notice with you when you call.
  • Keep the Notice. Keep a copy of the notice you get from the IRS with your tax records.
  • Watch Out for Scams. Don’t fall for phone and phishing email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS first contacts people about unpaid taxes by mail – not by phone. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text or social media.

Of course, it may be that there are other things in your life that you want to do other than dealing with the IRS.  And you wouldn’t be alone in that sentiment, most people want nothing to do with taxing authorities.  Additionally, the IRS has limited resources to serve taxpayers and those resources have been reduced in recent years.  This has resulted in fewer staff to talk to taxpayers and longer telephone hold times.  We have noticed that telephone callers are even told to hang up and try again tomorrow it the lines become to busy.  Who needs all that?

That is why Tax On Wheels, LLC is ready and available to assist you with all of your tax filing obligations, including responding to notices from both the IRS as well as state and local governments.  We take the burden out of interacting with taxing authorities by assessing the issue, recommending a course of action and implementing your action plan to help resolve your issue.

Give us a call at 803 732-4288 to find out how we can help you solve your tax problems.

Additional IRS Resources: