Have IRS Problems? Learn How To Understand IRS Letters and Notices
Understanding And Responding To IRS Letters And Notices
This tax relief article will give you better information about how to respond. Each letter can be found on the IRS web site. Just Google the letter or form number and select the sites you want explanations from, including the link to the IRS CP22E web site.
Sample Of IRS Letters & Notices
Please read my descriptions for each letter. Even if you didn't get that letter, the descriptions contain a sample of IRS letters & notices useful information that these letters contain. It should help you understand the IRS letters better.
Great Tax Reduction Technique
What if you get a letter from the IRS charging you additional tax based on a math error or a clerical error? How would you like to avoid paying it? Here's how... write back within 60 days and say you request an abatement under section 6213(b)(2). This may get it abated. It's worth a try. Sometimes they reassess it, but they must issue a “notice of deficiency” giving you appeal rights. Include in the letter a statement that you disagree with the additional tax and the action you want taken, such as “I disagree with the additional tax assessment because I did everything correctly and I want you to remove the taxes.” Also state that if they don't remove the taxes, you are requesting that they issue a notice of deficiency so you can file an appeal. The notice of deficiency will list the changes that they made. (Often you get a correction letter that doesn't spell out why they made the changes in the first place.) Use this approach for letters involving a missing SS# (supply the number and copy of Social Security card if you have it, in your letter). Send your letter to the address they request you respond to. Never be afraid to call or write for an explanation of the letter or the adjustments being made. You may just want to pay it, or if you are contesting it, you have a better understanding of what you are contesting. If you do call for an explanation, do not give any information as to what and why you did anything! They will record it and it can be used to deny your request for abatement.
CP 11 We Changed Your Return You Have A Balance Due
This notice reflects adjustments the IRS made to your return and the effect it had on penalties and interest. If you don't agree, speak up now, usually the longer you are in the collection process the harder it is to undo things. If you don't understand why the changes were made, contact the IRS and ask. You don't have to answer questions beyond the verifying questions to prove that you are you, or make promises of when you will make payment. Just say you will call back soon after looking into the matter.
Letter 11 Final Notice Of Intent To Levy
And notice of your right to a hearing. You have 30 days to appeal. I prefer solving the case before that time and getting the R.O. to hold off on the levy. Appeals are time consuming, and still won't solve the compliance issues of filing delinquent returns, and payment issues of paying delinquent taxes. If you can't file the delinquent taxes and fill out the collection information statements within the 30 days, call the R.O. or ACS and explain your great desire to cooperate. Give them what they want, give them some answers they want, and you will probably be given more time. If not call back again. Don't give up. You are allowed to have time to resolve your case.
CP 14 – Request For Tax Payment
This is your first bill for taxes due. A nice simple request for payment. The IRS feels that you still did not pay enough to cover the liability plus interest and penalties. This letter will go to great lengths to explain the interest and penalties, and often less about why you owe money.
CP 22E
This is a change based on the result of an IRS audit examination. You don't even have to be aware of it! The IRS can and does conduct audits without your knowledge. If they think everything is O.K. then you probably will never know it happened. If not you will get a letter. You should respond with your proof for any items you want to claim are justified as staying the way you reported them. Or you can just agree to their changes. Often the reasons for the change are missing. How nice. Pull your third party payer information and see why they have different information than you. If you can't get it in time, call and find out why. You may have to make a few calls. Hang in there.