Received an IRS Notice? What to Do Next

An IRS letter can be unsettling, but the notice itself is your starting point. Different notices ask for different actions. Read the complete letter before deciding whether the issue is a balance, a return correction, missing information or something else.

Identify the notice and deadline

Find the CP or LTR number, the tax year and any response deadline. The IRS provides a notice search by number or topic. Keep the letter with your records. If it asks you to respond, act by the stated due date.

Create a short summary in your own words: what the IRS says, what it wants, and when a response is due. This helps you prepare for a call or consultation without relying on memory.

Compare it with your records

Place the notice beside your filed return, payment confirmations and any earlier correspondence. Mark the specific amount or information you disagree with. Keep copies of supporting documents together.

If you agree, take the requested action; the IRS says a reply is not necessary unless requested. If you disagree, follow the letter's dispute instructions and respond by the deadline to protect applicable appeal rights. Do not assume a general phone conversation replaces a required written response.

Verify suspicious correspondence

If the letter looks suspicious or does not appear in the IRS notice search, the IRS directs taxpayers to call 800-829-1040. Avoid sending documents or payments through a link you cannot verify. Use official IRS channels to investigate.

Prepare your next step

Bring the complete notice, not just the first page, to a consultation. Ask what the deadline means, what evidence is needed and how the response should be submitted. Record what you send and keep delivery or submission confirmations.

If the letter concerns a balance you cannot pay, review tax debt options alongside the response requirements. A request for help does not by itself change a notice deadline.

Contact Trifecta Tax Relief to discuss an IRS notice and your next steps. Outcomes depend on the notice and your circumstances.

IRS source: Understanding your IRS notice or letter

Related guide: I owe the IRS and cannot pay

Last reviewed: October 7, 2026. General educational information; individual tax advice requires a review of your circumstances.