Sep 4, 2012

Moment of Truth: Eight Tips for Taxpayers Who Receive an IRS Notice

Warning: Video clip contains curses. You have been warned.
 




Here is a message from the Goodfellas at the IRS:

Receiving a notice from the Internal Revenue Service is no cause for alarm. Every year the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers. In the event one shows up in your mailbox, here are eight things you should know.

1. Don’t panic. Many of these letters can be dealt with very simply.
 
2. There are a number of reasons the IRS sends notices to taxpayers. The notice may request payment of taxes, notify you of a change to your account or request additional information. The notice you receive normally covers a very specific issue about your account or tax return.
 
3. Each letter and notice offers specific instructions on what you need to do to satisfy the inquiry.
 
4. If you receive a notice about a correction to your tax return, you should review the correspondence and compare it with the information on your return.
 
5. If you agree with the correction to your account, usually no reply is necessary unless a payment is due.
 
6. If you do not agree with the correction the IRS made, it is important that you respond as requested. Respond to the IRS in writing to explain why you disagree. Include any documents and information you wish the IRS to consider, along with the bottom tear-off portion of the notice. Mail the information to the IRS address shown in the lower left corner of the notice. Allow at least 30 days for a response from the IRS.
 
7. Most correspondence can be handled without calling or visiting an IRS office. However, if you have questions, call the telephone number in the upper right corner of the notice. When you call, have a copy of your tax return and the correspondence available.
 
8. Keep copies of any correspondence with your tax records.
 
Bonus tip from the Goodfellas at J.S. Tax Corporation:
 
Don't hide from your tax issues because we all must meet our moment of truth

2 comments:

Unknown said...

before receiving the IRS notice how can we control the tax payment.



Inquiry Letters 

Jamaal Solomon, EA said...

Hello Samantha, I would need to know what you mean by "control" to give you a good answer. If you mean paying the liability before the letter arrives, I would suggest to send payment vouchers to the IRS. To find the mailing address, go to www.irs.gov. Don't forget to include info like your social security number and what tax year you would like to apply the payment.