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IRS letters and taxes, in plain language

Key steps, official links, and sample letters. Free for everyone, no account needed.

Last reviewed: October 24, 2026

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Not legal or tax advice. Not affiliated with the IRS. This page shares general information and links to official government sites. Rules and dollar amounts change. Always check your own letter and irs.gov, or talk with a tax professional, a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, or the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

  1. If you got an IRS letter

    • Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Find the notice number (like CP2000) in the top or bottom right corner, and the reply-by date.
    • Read it next to the IRS explanation: Understanding your IRS notice or letter.
    • If you agree, follow the steps in the letter. If you don't, reply in writing before the date and keep a copy.
    • Real IRS letters tell you to pay only to the "United States Treasury" or through irs.gov/payments.
    • You can ask the IRS to send letters in large print, braille or audio with Form 9000 (PDF).

  2. CP2000: the IRS says you underreported income

    A CP2000 is a proposal, not a bill. The IRS compared your return with forms like W-2s and 1099s and found a mismatch. Answer by the date on the letter: agree, partly agree, or disagree and explain with documents. If you don't answer, the IRS may move ahead with its proposed change. Details: Understanding your CP2000 series notice.

  3. If you owe and can't pay

  4. If the IRS is taking your pay or bank money

    A levy is a legal seizure of property, like wages or a bank account. Before it, the IRS must send a Final Notice of Intent to Levy and a notice of your right to a hearing, at least 30 days ahead. Call the number on your levy notice right away (TTY 1-800-829-4059 or relay: 711). You have 30 days from receiving an LT11 or Letter 1058 to request a Collection Due Process hearing on Form 12153. The hearing, with the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, happens before levy action is taken, and lets you discuss other options or dispute the amount. See Collection Due Process FAQs. If the levy causes a serious hardship, contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Details: What is a levy?

  5. Refund held for identity checks

    Some letters (like the 5071C series) ask you to confirm you filed the return. Check the letter is real by going to irs.gov yourself, not through links in emails or texts. Then verify through the IRS identity and tax return verification service. Track your refund at irs.gov/refunds.

  6. Scam calls and messages

    • Never tap a link or call a number from a surprise text, email, call, or chat message about taxes. Go to irs.gov yourself and call the IRS at 800-829-1040 (relay: dial 711), and forward scam emails to phishing@irs.gov or report them at tigta.gov.
    • The IRS does not threaten arrest by phone or demand gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers.
    • Hang up. Don't give any numbers or pay.
    • Report IRS impersonation to the Treasury Inspector General: TIGTA report form, or call 1-800-366-4484 (relay: 711).
    • Learn the warning signs: Tax scams and consumer alerts.

  7. Catching up on unfiled returns

    It's never too late to start. Gather your income forms, file the missing years, and talk to the IRS about paying. If you are owed a refund, you must file to claim it within 3 years of the return due date, or you lose it (IRS: Filing past due tax returns). If you don't file, the IRS may file a return for you that doesn't include your deductions. Details and phone help (TTY 1-800-829-4059 or relay: 711): Filing past due tax returns.

  8. When someone has died

    We're sorry for your loss. Take it one step at a time. The surviving spouse or the person handling the estate may need to file the person's final returns, including any past years not filed. Details: File the final income tax returns of a deceased person.

  9. Free help filing

    • VITA and TCE offer free tax preparation for people who qualify, including people with lower incomes, people with disabilities, and older adults. Find a site: Free tax return preparation or call 1-800-906-9887 (TTY 1-800-829-4059 or 711).
    • IRS Free File lets eligible people file online for free.

  10. Sample letters

    Fill in the brackets. Use the response form that came with your notice when there is one, and send it to the address on the notice. Keep copies and write down the date you sent it.

    Reply to a CP2000 notice

    [Your name]
[Address] · [Phone]
Taxpayer ID: last 4 digits only [XXXX]
[Date]

Internal Revenue Service
[Address from your notice]

Re: CP2000 notice dated [date], tax year [year]

I received your notice dated [date]. I [agree in part / disagree]
with the proposed changes.

My reasons:
[Explain each item in plain words, for example: "The 1099 from
(payer) was already reported on line (x)" or "This income
belongs to someone else."]

I am attaching the signed response form and copies of:
[list documents].

Please contact me at [phone] if you need more information.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
Enclosures: CP2000 response form; [documents]

    Request for more time to respond

    [Your name]
[Address] · [Phone]
Taxpayer ID: last 4 digits only [XXXX]
[Date]

Internal Revenue Service
[Address from your notice]

Re: Notice [number] dated [date], tax year [year]

I received your notice and want to respond fully. I need more time
because [for example: I am gathering records / a family member
died / I am waiting for a corrected form].

I am asking for an extra [number] days, until [date], to send my
response.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
Enclosure: copy of notice