Got an IRS Letter? Calm First Steps to Take Right Now
Updated October 24, 2026
Why the IRS sends letters at all
A letter does not mean you are in trouble. The IRS says it may write to you for several routine reasons:
- You have a balance due.
- Your refund was changed.
- It has a question about your return.
- It needs to verify your identity.
- It corrected something on your return.
- Your return is delayed in processing.
Some of those need action from you. Others only need to be read, compared with your return and filed away. The first job is to figure out which kind you have.
Read these four things first
- The notice number. A CP or LTR number sits in the upper right corner of the letter. It tells you exactly which notice you have, and you can search for it by number on irs.gov.
- What the IRS says happened. Is it a change to your refund, a bill, a question, or a request to prove who you are?
- What it wants from you. Look for words like "respond," "send," "pay" or "verify."
- The due date. If the IRS asks you to respond, act by the date on the letter.
Write the due date on your calendar the day the letter arrives. Many people lose options simply by waiting.
A real preparer reviews and signs your return. You get a free quote.
Check that it is real
The IRS says it normally contacts you the first time by mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, so a letter in your mailbox is a good sign. Still, scammers copy the look. Search irs.gov for the notice number or topic printed on the letter. If you cannot find it, or something looks off, use the contact information on irs.gov to reach the IRS and follow the instructions the representative gives you.
Do not rely on phone numbers or links from a text message or email that arrived with it, and never pay someone who demands money right away. Our guide to tax scams lists the red flags.
Do you have to reply?
Often, no. The IRS says you do not need to reply unless it specifically asks you to. Your next move depends on what the letter says:
- You agree. Do whatever the notice requests. If it changed your return, compare the notice with your copy of the return and keep the notice with your records.
- You think there is a mistake. Write to the IRS office that sent the notice within the time frame given, or use the contact number on the notice. Include copies of records that back you up. If the IRS agrees, it adjusts your account and sends a revised notice.
- You disagree. Follow the dispute instructions in the notice, include your information and copies of supporting documents, and reply by the due date. Replying on time protects your appeal rights.
Send copies, never originals. Use a delivery method that gives you proof of delivery, and keep copies of everything you send.
If the letter says you owe money
A bill feels urgent, and in one way it is. The IRS says that if you owe, you should pay by the due date even if you cannot pay the full amount, because paying what you can may reduce interest and penalties. If you need a monthly payment arrangement, the IRS points to its Online Payment Agreement tool. For more on how plans work in general, read our payment plan basics.
Two more facts help you set expectations. Interest is generally not removed, but penalties sometimes can be. The IRS may remove a penalty under First Time Abate if you are not already in a penalty situation that rules it out. It may also remove one for reasonable cause when the failure was not due to willful neglect, and a prompt good-faith payment can help show that. You make the request with an explanation sent to the IRS.
Build a paper trail
Whatever the letter says, treat it as part of your tax records. A few habits make any later step easier:
- Keep the original letter, and note the day it arrived.
- Make a copy of everything you send back, and write down the date and how you sent it.
- Keep a short log of any phone call, with the date, the name or ID the person gave, and what was said.
- Put the letter next to the return it refers to, so you can compare them side by side.
This is not busywork. If a question comes up months later, you can show exactly what you received and what you did about it.
Where our preparers fit, and where they do not
Our preparers prepare returns. They do not write to the IRS, call the IRS or negotiate for you. If you want someone to respond on your behalf, find a qualified professional who does IRS representation.
Where we can help is the return itself. If a notice shows that a number on your return was wrong or a form was left out, our preparers can review the return and prepare an amended one when that is the right fix. Our guides to amending a return and the CP2000 notice show how that works. Bring the letter, a copy of the return it refers to, and any documents that support your side. Then start your return and we will tell you what is missing.
FAQ
Do I have to answer every IRS letter?
No. The IRS says you do not need to reply unless it specifically asks you to. Read the letter, find the due date if there is one, and do what it asks. Keep the letter with your tax records either way.
Where do I find the notice number?
Look in the upper right corner of the letter for a CP or LTR number. You can search for that number on irs.gov to read about the notice and to check that the letter is real.
Does an IRS letter mean I am being audited?
Not necessarily. Many letters are about a balance, a correction or a delay. If the letter does mention an examination, our guide to what triggers an IRS audit explains how they work.
What if I cannot pay what the letter says I owe?
Pay what you can by the due date, since that may cut interest and penalties. Then look at a payment arrangement through the IRS online tool. You can also ask a qualified professional who does representation to look at your options.
Sources
- irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-irs-notice-or-letter
- irs.gov/taxtopics/tc653
- irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs
Keep reading
- Does Filing an Amended Return Trigger an Audit
- How to Get Your IRS Tax Transcript and Why You Need It
- IRS Payment Plans: The Basics Explained Plainly
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General information, not tax advice for your specific situation. Rules can change, and a human preparer reviews your facts before any return is filed. Zero Fuss Taxes is a PTIN-holding tax preparation firm. We are not a CPA firm, enrolled agents or attorneys.