Nothing can make your blood run cold than receiving a letter from the IRS. The registered letter arrives in your box but there are around 75 different notices and letters from the IRS. It could be Letter 3228(LT39) Reminder Notice letter or it may even be the IRS sending you Notice number CP12 which outlines Changes to Tax Return, Overpayment. In each of the 75 options for letters or notices from the IRS it is important to remember not to panic.
Letters from the IRS describe quite clearly what the issue is about. The IRS usually sends out letters or notices if:
- There was an error or omission on your tax return and additional tax payment is required
- There was an error and you are due a greater refund
- The IRS requires additional information regarding your tax return
The IRS assigns a number to every notice that leaves their office. This helps IRS employees track correspondence from thousands of citizens. Some notices are highlighted with a CP designation. The CP (Computer Paragraph) is printed at the top or the first page of every notice sent. There is also a corresponding CP number on the removable portion of the page. This is to permit users to retain a portion for their records.
The CP number is located in the header of the notice, at the top and center of the page.
Most letters from the IRS contain specific instructions to help complete your tax return. Each notice or letter will require some action on your part. After reviewing the letter it is important to compare the information received from the IRS to the information that you provided to them during the period in question.
If there is a discrepancy, then this should be brought to their attention. When an error has been made and additional payment is required direct correspondence and payment can be submitted directly to the address on the notice.
When submitting any information to the IRS or to any company for that matter, it is good practice to keep copies for your own records.
Some of the more common letters from the IRS include :
This notice is used to notify the taxpayer that the IRS is holding their tax refund because they have unfiled tax returns for a different year.
This is the first notice that your will receive from the IRS if you have an overdue account.
If you have not paid the balance of your account you will receive a second notice.
If the amount is not paid in full this is the 3rd and final notice before the IRS gets serious and start searching for assets to levy.
This IRS letter is notification that a levy will be put against assets and any retirement benefits, salaries, real estate, automobiles, bank accounts etc can also be included in the levy.
This notice identifies that a levy has been issued against assets, benefits, real estate, salaries.