The Tax Times: What to do When You Receive an IRS Notice?

The IRS sends many, many, many, letters and correspondence before they levy or garnished any Taxpayer's wages, bank accounts, or other assets. Many taxpayers take the ostrich approach and ignore the problem, in hopes that it will go away.

If you’re facing an IRS Problem, appropriate action can go a long way towards resolving it!

1. Respond Quickly to All Inquiries and Notices

The IRS will send a notice or letter if:

You have a balance due.
You are due a larger or smaller refund.
They have a question about your tax return.
They need to verify your identity.
They need additional information.
They changed your return.
They are notifying you of delays in processing your return.

2. Read the Entire Notice or Letter Carefully.

Typically, the IRS only needs a response if you don’t agree with the information, the IRS needs additional information, or you have a balance due. If the IRS changed your tax return, compare the information the IRS provided in the Notice or Letter with the information in your original return. If the IRS receives a return that they suspect is identity theft, the IRS will ask you to verify your identity using the web address provided in the letter.

When you get a notice in the mail from the IRS, it will have a file/case/claim or other reference

number on the document. You’ll also notice the document likely arrived days (or weeks) later

than the date on the letter/notice.

3. Contact the IRS if You Have Questions or Disagree With the Notice.

The IRS provides their contact phone number on the top right-hand corner of their correspondence.

Call the that phone number as soon as possible upon receipt of the notice to make certain the IRS is aware you are “pending action.” Be sure you have your tax return and any related documentation available when you call. Alternatively, you can write to the IRS at the address in the correspondence to explain why you disagree. If you write, allow at least 30 days for their response.

4. Respond Within the Required Time Frame.

If the IRS ask for a response within a specific time frame, you must respond on time to minimize additional interest and penalty charges or to preserve your appeal rights if you don’t agree.

5. Document all communications with the IRS

If you mail communications to the IRS, send them as certified mail to guarantee arrival and receipt. If you communicate with the IRS by telephone, the responding agent will give you his/her name and ID

number. Be certain to write it down along with the date/time/subject of your call and any answers or information the agent provides. If you do not get a name and ID number, be sure to ask and/or confirm before the end of your call. That way if there are any disputes, there is a record of your communications.

6. Turn Over the Right Paperwork

Inexperienced taxpayers often think that the more paperwork they turn over, the better. The IRS

may even encourage this by stating that they can help you resolve your tax problem. While this may be true, IRS Revenue Agents can and often do make additional adjustments based upon the information and paper work which you supply. Only provide the information that is needed to resolve the problem at hand, not that which may open up a whole new set of problems.

6. Contacting an Experience Tax Attorney Can Help

When you respond quickly to notices and requests for information, you’re likely to find that the

situation can be resolved successfully on your own. But when audits or multiple issues arise, it is advisable to have an Experienced Tax Attorney on your side.

When you have IRS tax problems, it is very important to handle them very carefully. IRS tax matters are very technical and sensitive; therefore a slight mistake in the process can cost you dearly in the form of loss of money, loss of time and general frustration. The tax laws and procedures involved in settling your IRS taxes can be very complex and you may not completely understand it.

Dealing with IRS involves navigating the complicated maze of U.S. tax law. A Tax Attorney has the knowledge of tax law and expertise needed to negotiate with the IRS on your behalf to reduce Tax debt & IRS Problems.

The Internal Revenue Service has an army of employees and tax attorneys representing them

and as a taxpayer, you should have the same benefits which result from hiring an Experienced Tax Attorney to represent You, your Business & your Family.

Have a Tax Problem?