I got a notice from the IRS. What should I do?
We know it can be scary, but it’s important to open any notices or mail you receive from the IRS and to follow any instructions that are in the notice. Most notices also include a phone number that you can call if you have questions.
Common notices include Notice CP09 or CP 27, as well as 4883C or 5071C:
- Notice CP09 or CP27 is a letter the IRS sends you if you might be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) but you didn’t claim it when you filed your taxes. The notices ask you to confirm a few facts about your and your household in order to claim the credit, which could be worth over $7,000. You should fill out the notice truthfully and mail it back to the IRS.
- Notice 4883C and 5071C are letters the IRS sends if they have received a tax return for you and they are concerned it might be fraudulent. If you did submit a return, you will need to verify your identity, either online or on the phone, according to the instructions on the letter. If you did not submit a tax return, then this letter indicates that someone else tried to submit a return using your information. You should follow the instructions to report this fraud to the IRS, to make sure your future payments are not negatively affected.