Ten Things to Know about IRS Notices and Letters

You’ve got mail! But this time it’s from the IRS. Always remember, there’s no need to press the panic button on
seeing this. Each year, the IRS sends millions of notices and letters to taxpayers for a variety of reasons. And
the important thing to reiterate here is that the IRS initiates most contact through the mail. They will not
initiate contact with you through social media, email, or text message to request personal or financial
information! If the IRS does call or visit, you will typically have already received a letter first. So, beware and
never give out your personal details to anyone who poses to be from the IRS on social media, by text, or by
email. Brenda is aware of this because she called her tax professional when she received her IRS notice.

Here are ten things to know in case a letter or notice from the IRS shows up in your mailbox:

1. Don’t panic. You often only need to respond to take care of a notice. An IRS notice could be either bad
news or good news. You never know until you read it. The IRS often will contact you by mail to inform
you that you have money coming back or a refund due to you, as often as they might say you owe
more tax.

2. There are many reasons why the IRS may send a letter or notice. It typically is about a specific issue on
your federal tax return or tax account. A notice may tell you about changes to your account or ask you
for more information. It could also tell you that you must make a payment.

3. Each notice has specific instructions about what you need to do.

4. You may get a notice that states the IRS has made a change or correction to your tax return. If you do,
review the information and compare it with your original return.

5. If you agree with the notice, you usually don’t need to reply unless it gives you other instructions
or you need to make a payment. If you are due additional money, the notice will say so, and then you
only must wait for the check in the mail. The wait time differs depending on the reason for the change. If
the IRS does not issue your refund within 45 days of the filing deadline (or the date you filed if you filed
late), you are generally entitled to interest on the refund amount.

6. If you do not agree with the notice, it’s important for you to respond. You should write a letter to
explain why you disagree. Include any information and documents you want the IRS to consider. Mail
your reply with the bottom tear-off portion of the notice. Send it to the address shown in the upper left-
hand corner of the notice. Allow at least 30 days for a response. If you wish to have a tax professional
speak or represent you, this is where you would tell the IRS who will speak for you. There is a place to
list your representative’s name, address, and phone number, if the IRS needs to contact them.

7. You shouldn’t have to call or visit an IRS office for most notices. If you do have questions, call the
phone number in the upper right-hand corner of the notice. Have a copy of your tax return and the
notice with you when you call. This will help the IRS answer your questions. If you are not comfortable
speaking with the IRS, engage or hire a tax professional to speak on your behalf. Tax professionals
such as Certified Public Accountants, Enrolled Agents, and Attorneys do this for a living. We know what
to say and how to speak to the IRS. There is no need for you, the taxpayer, to stress out and become
anxious when dealing with the IRS. Let the professional handle these types of communications.

8. Keep copies of any notices you receive with your other tax records.

9. The IRS sends letters and notices by mail. They do not initiate contact with people by email, text
message, or social media to ask for personal or financial information. Always be sure to send ALL
correspondence to the IRS by certified mail, return receipt required.

10. For more on this topic, visit https://www.IRS.gov/ or see Publication 594, The IRS Collection
Process. Be sure to contact Azmoneyguy or your tax professional. DO NOT try to handle this yourself.
Remember, as an old saying goes, “the attorney who represents themselves has a fool for a client”.

Call today, don’t delay! See how this affects you. We can be reached at 602-264-9331 and on all social media under azmoneyguy.

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