IRS CP2000, explained in plain English
Quick answer: The IRS thinks income on file does not match your return and is proposing a change. It is a proposal, not a bill. Your deadline: 30 days from the notice date (60 if you are outside the U.S.).
What it means
The IRS thinks income on file does not match your return and is proposing a change. It is a proposal, not a bill.
Your deadline
30 days from the notice date (60 if you are outside the U.S.).
What to do
Compare the proposed change against your records. Respond on the included form, agreeing or disputing with documentation. Never ignore it; silence turns the proposal into a formal deficiency notice.
What not to do
Do not pay it automatically. CP2000 proposals are frequently wrong, especially with stock sales where the IRS does not see your cost basis.
Want it handled for you?
Take a photo of the letter, every page, and send it through our secure portal. Someone from our office reads it, explains it in plain English, and manages the response. Most letters are resolved without you ever waiting on hold with the IRS.
Upload my letterEducational summary based on IRS guidance, reviewed June 2026. Not legal or tax advice; deadlines and details come from your actual letter. Source: irs.gov.
Is the CP2000 serious?
It deserves attention, not panic. The IRS thinks income on file does not match your return and is proposing a change. It is a proposal, not a bill. Handled inside the deadline, it is routine paperwork.
Can Zero Fuss Taxes respond to my CP2000 for me?
Yes. Upload every page of the letter to our secure portal, and someone from our office reviews it, explains your options in plain English, and prepares the response. IRS letters are a year-round service for us, not a seasonal one.