There are pieces of mail that bring joy and others that bring a bit of fear. Likely one of the most common examples of a letter that would result in concern to the recipient is a letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Why would the IRS send a letter? There are a number of reasons the IRS may contact a taxpayer. The letter could be a request for additional information or could notify an impending audit.
What should I do if I get a letter from the IRS? Regardless of the reason for the contact, those who get a notification from the IRS can benefit from these four tips:
- Relax. As noted in a recent publication by the IRS, a number of these notifications request a response with additional information.
- Review. Read the letter carefully and compare it to your tax filings. If the agency states that it made changes to your filings, review the changes to make sure they are accurate.
- Document. Make a copy of the letter to keep with tax information for the year in question.
Although it is best not to panic after getting a letter from the IRS, it is also important to take the correspondence seriously. Do not rush to put together a response without careful consideration of the possible implications. You have options in the event the agency requests additional information for an audit of your filings. An attorney experienced in audit investigations can help you explore these options and work to better ensure your rights are protected.