February 3, 2026 · 4 min read
You got a letter from the IRS. Now what?
Most notices are routine. Here's how to read one and what not to do.
A letter from the IRS or your state tax agency is not automatically bad news. Many are simple: a math adjustment, a request for one missing form, or a notice that a payment posted. The worst move is to ignore it.
First, don't panic and don't call impulsively
- Read the whole notice, including the back
- Find the notice or letter number (top or bottom right), the tax year, and the response-by date
- Note whether it's asking for money, asking for information, or just informing you of a change
What to send us
- A clear photo or scan of every page of the notice
- The return the notice is about, if we didn't prepare it
- Any documents the notice references
What not to do
- Don't send payment before you understand whether the amount is correct
- Don't miss the response date — that's what narrows your options
- Don't respond to a phone call, text, or email claiming to be the IRS; real contact starts with mailed letters
We'll read the notice, tell you in plain language what it actually means, prepare the response, and track the deadline. Most of the time it's more straightforward than it looks.
Have a question about your situation?
Start your return or book a free consultation and we’ll walk through it together.