IRS Correspondence Letters and Notices

It is rarely a pleasant feeling to go to your mail box and see a letter waiting for you from the IRS, unless it is a refund check of course! Correspondence via letter or notice from the IRS is becoming very common as they deal with budget cuts, and technology allows for more matching and sharing of tax information.

• Following are some things you should know about IRS notices:
• First, don’t panic; many of the notices simply ask for additional information.
• The notice usually covers a very specific issue and form, such as a request for payment or a change to your account.
• It will provide specific instructions on how to respond to the notice.
• Always compare the information in the correspondence with your tax return.
• You will be given the opportunity to disagree with the notice and provide additional documentation to support it.
• A telephone number is usually included for further questions. Mondays are not a good day to call the IRS. Long waits are common at any given time when calling.
• There is usually a section in the notice to give someone else, such as a Bergan Paulsen team member, permission to respond on your behalf. Depending on the nature of the issue, it may be necessary for you to give us Power of Attorney for the purpose of responding to the notice.
• Always respond to the notice if requested. You will be contacted approximately every 30-60 days until you respond or an assessment or levy will possibly be made on your account. When an issue gets to this point, it is more difficult to resolve.
• Ensure that you keep a copy of all correspondence for your records. If you speak with an IRS representative, write down the employee number they give you when they answer the phone and listen carefully to the prompts in the system so you reach the correct area.

The above tips also apply to any State or local correspondence, as they are all looking for additional revenue and compliance as well.

Remember, the IRS will never contact you via phone or email.

The Bergan Paulsen team is available to assist you with deciphering the correspondence, gathering necessary information and responding in a timely manner.