Step 1: Don't Ignore It — But Don't Panic Either
The IRS sends millions of notices every year, and the majority deal with routine matters: a math correction, a request to verify identity, or notice of a refund adjustment. Ignoring it, however, is the one move that reliably makes things worse — missed response deadlines can limit your appeal rights or let penalties and interest keep accruing.
Step 2: Verify It's Actually Real
The IRS almost always initiates contact by mail, not by phone, email, or text demanding immediate payment. Every legitimate notice has a notice or letter number printed in the upper right-hand corner of the first page. You can look up that number on IRS.gov to confirm what it's for before you do anything else.
Step 3: Read It Carefully and Note the Deadline
Each notice addresses one specific issue and includes instructions for what the IRS wants from you. Write down the notice number, the tax year in question, and the response deadline the moment you open it — that deadline is the most important detail on the page.
Step 4: Understand Why You Got It
Common reasons the IRS sends a notice include:
- You have a balance due
- Your refund is larger or smaller than expected
- The IRS has a question about something on your return
- They need to verify your identity
- They need additional information
- They made a change to your filed return
Step 5: Decide If You Agree
If you agree with the notice, in many cases you don't need to respond at all beyond following any payment instructions. If you disagree, you'll generally need to send a written explanation along with supporting documentation to the address listed in the notice, within the stated deadline.
Step 6: Know When to Bring in Help
A simple notice asking you to confirm information can often be handled on your own. But notices involving an audit, a proposed balance due you don't agree with, a lien, a levy, or wage garnishment are exactly the situations where a licensed professional who negotiates with the IRS regularly makes a real difference — both in the outcome and in how much stress it costs you.