Got a letter from the IRS? Read this before you call anyone
Most IRS letters are routine and fixable. A few are scams. Here’s how to tell the difference in two minutes.
I have read IRS letters for almost forty years. Most of them are routine: a math correction, a missing form, a question about income the IRS was told about. Very few are an audit.
Look at the top right corner
Every real IRS notice has a notice number, such as CP2000 or CP14, and a response date. Those two things tell you what it’s about and how long you have.
Signs it isn’t the IRS
- A demand to pay by gift card, wire or cryptocurrency
- A threat of arrest by phone
- An email or text asking for your Social Security number
- A caller who won’t let you verify on IRS.gov
The IRS starts almost every conversation by mail. If the first contact is a phone call, be suspicious.
What to do next
Don’t call the number on the letter yet. Upload every page, including the back, and we’ll call you within two business days to explain it.
General information about federal and Kansas tax rules, not advice for your situation. Rules change; talk to your preparer before acting.
