With all the news about scams going around these recent tax seasons, it’s important to know that the IRS communicates almost exclusively in writing. They will generally not contact you by email, over social media, or using other methods.
Also, many of the notices and letters they send are nothing to worry about. They just inform you about payments made, that changes in the tax code might affect you, or regarding other mundane notifications.
In some cases, however, the IRS sends you notices to let you know you have missed a payment, that you have back taxes assessed, that you are being audited, or that they plan to take collection action against you. These are important notices and should never be disregarded.
When you receive such a letter, it is important to take the steps outlined and respond as soon as you can. Each letter should contain clear instructions as to what you should do next.
The key is not to panic and to seek help if you are confused. Instant Tax Solutions is here for just that purpose.
If you have received a letter from the IRS and you are not sure how to respond, do not ignore it. Simply reach out to one of our Portland tax lawyers and let us know what you need.
We will schedule a free and confidential, no-obligation review of your finances to help you work out your next steps and get back on your feet. Just call (888) 363-8958 or contact us online today.
Need Portland Responding to IRS Notices and Letters Help?
Instant Tax Solutions has a whole team of tax professionals, CPAs, tax lawyers, and other tax experts who together bring decades of combined experience to the table. We all work with one purpose: to help you get relief from your tax debt.
We are built on honesty, integrity, and a desire to help good people like you find financial freedom and peace of mind.
We know how the IRS works. We know their thought patterns, their processes, and what they want. We know how to gather evidence to pursue solutions like installation payment plans, penalty and fee abatement, Currently Not Collectible status, offer in compromise solutions, amended tax returns, and other forms of tax relief.
We also know exactly how to respond to the many various and sundry IRS notices and letters you may receive. If you are facing tax debt and you don’t know where to go next, Instant Tax Solutions is here to help.
We have the experience, the know-how, and the tools to represent your interests and get you back on solid footing once more.
Types of Portland IRS Tax Letters & Notices
The IRS may send a wide range of different types of letters and notices. Just a few of those you may receive include:
- CP-11 or 14
- CP-23
- CP-501, 503, or 504
- CP-523, 90, or 91
CP-11 or 14: Changes to Tax Return
A CP 11 notice is sent whenever the IRS makes changes to a 1040 tax return form, which results in you owing a balance. The form will explain how the changes were made and why and give you a period of time to respond with payment or to challenge the form.
It may also include other forms and notices such as underpayment of estimated taxes (form 2210), installment agreement request (form 9465), your rights as a taxpayer (publication 1), and others.
Another similar form of tax notice is a CP 14 notice, which is similar to a CP 11 but claims you underpaid the taxes on your return. Often, it states that you took extra deductions or credits to which you were not entitled.
If you receive additional forms, it is vital that you contact a tax debt relief company like Instant Tax Solutions. We know the best way to respond and can help you fill out subsequent forms without making any critical errors.
CP-23: Changes to Estimated Total Tax
A CP 23 notice lets you know that your reported estimated tax payments do not agree with the IRS records. Sometimes, this could be due to changes in government regulations.
In such a case, you will need to compare your records with the IRS and discover where the discrepancies lie. Again, be sure that the error does not lie with the IRS.
CP-501, 503, or 504: Reminders of Balance Due
These forms are sent if you have a past-due balance on your tax account. They are sent in sequence as an initial, second, and final Notice.
Each gives you 10 days to respond by paying the amount you owe.
If you receive one of these forms, it is important to act fast. They can result in the IRS freezing accounts or seizing assets if no action is taken in response.
CP-523, 90, or 91: Notices of Intent to Levy
These forms let you know that a levy is imminent. They are sent for different reasons.
A CP-523 informs you of a levy because you failed to pay an installment agreement with the agency. A CP-90 is a general final notice that a levy is incoming, informing you that you have the right to a hearing and an appeal of the levy action.
It instructs you on the next steps to take if you desire such a hearing. CP-91 notices indicate that the IRS is going to attach federal benefits like social security.
Understanding IRS Letters & Notices Guide
There are dozens of different IRS letters and notices you may encounter when you have a tax debt. In general, however, these letters will involve one of the following topics:
- Balance due or past due notices and reminders
- Installment plan payment scheduling or reminder
- Intents to levy
- Right to a hearing
- Changes to tax returns
How Do I Respond to IRS Notices and Letters?
When you receive any notice from the IRS, the first thing to do is check it for accuracy. The IRS is not perfect, and they make mistakes more often than people think.
Any time you receive such a notice, you should seek help from ITS. We know how to review your finances, go over your tax forms, and ensure that everything is reported correctly, and we can even represent you to the IRS when the time comes.
In any case, there are several steps you should take whenever you receive a letter from the IRS.
Read the Letter, Then Read Again
Read the letter very carefully, start to finish — fine print and all. Read it a second time.
The more thoroughly you read the letter, the better off you will be, as it will contain detailed information regarding the issue at hand, including detailed instructions regarding the next steps you need to take.
Verify the Letter
Next, verify the letter is real. You can do this by calling the IRS.
Do not use a phone number on the letter to do this. Go to the irs.gov website and use the numbers there.
Scammers are growing more clever every year, and you may well get a false letter that looks real. By calling the IRS directly from their website, you can confirm that the letter you received is accurate and genuine.
Each letter should contain a serial number indicating the exact type of form, and many also bear unique IDs that can be traced back to your individual tax account. Use this information to verify authenticity with the IRS.
Note that you do not have to take action when you are simply calling to confirm the veracity of a publication. Simply tell them you will respond according to the instructions in the letter soon.
Follow the Instructions on the Letter
Third, read the instructions in the letter regarding your next steps. They will usually be detailed, sometimes offering multiple options.
These options, though clearly and simply stated, can be confusing when you do not know which one to choose. Referring to tax professionals can allow you to weigh all of your options and choose the optimal path forward for your financial future.
Keep Calm and Contact ITS
Instant Tax Services has only one goal, and that is to help you find relief from back taxes and IRS pressure. We can help you make the right choice when Responding to IRS Notices and Letters.
Whether it is requesting a hearing, negotiating a payment plan, helping you to get penalties and fees abated, or other solutions, we have experience in all manner of IRS collection efforts, and we know how to challenge them. Don’t panic: keep calm, and call us.
Can I Appeal IRS Tax Letters and Notices?
Some IRS letters and notices allow you to appeal a decision. These include letters of intent to levy, notices of deficiency, many letters filing tax liens and notifying you of asset seizure, and even notifications of balances due.
When you receive a letter from the IRS, you may well be able to challenge what it says. Filing such an appeal, however, is complicated and requires expertise and experience that you may not have.
Instant Tax Solutions is ready to help you go through your records, file amended returns, challenge IRS mistakes, and reduce or even eliminate your tax burden.
Let Instant Tax Solutions Help
If you have received IRS letters and notices and you are scared about what to do next, Instant Tax Solutions is here for you. We have over twenty years of experience dealing with all manner of IRS tax issues, and our goal is to help people like you with honesty and integrity as a dogged ally.
Let us represent your interests. All it takes is a simple phone call to set up a no-obligation, confidential, free case review.
You have nothing to lose but financial freedom to gain. Call us at (888) 363-8958 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your consultation today.
