← All guides · 3 minute read · Print
An IRS envelope can ruin your day. Most letters are routine and can be handled quickly if you act on time. Here is what to do.
- Make sure it is real. The IRS starts contact by mail. It never demands payment by gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency, and it does not threaten immediate arrest. If anything seems off, look up the notice number at IRS.gov and call the number listed there, not one from an email or text.
- Find the notice number and the deadline. The notice number is in the top or bottom right corner (like CP14 or LT11). Look it up in our IRS Letter Decoder. Then circle the response date and put it on your calendar.
- Compare it with your records. Pull the tax return for that year and any W-2s, 1099s, or payment records. Many letters come from simple mismatches.
- Respond on time, in writing when you can. If you agree, follow the instructions. If you disagree, send a short signed explanation with copies (never originals) of your proof. Send by certified mail or use the IRS online response options listed on the notice.
- Keep a file. Save the letter, your response, and proof of when you sent it. Write down the date and the employee ID of anyone you speak with on the phone.
When to get help
Get professional help if the letter mentions a levy, a lien, an audit, a Notice of Deficiency, or the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty, or if the amount is more than you can pay. Those letters have deadlines that protect important rights.
This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice for your specific situation. Every case is different. Always check the dates and amounts printed on your own documents.