Standing Up To The IRS

When you receive a plain brown envelope marked “Official US Business” from the Internal Revenue Service, it’s enough to strike terror in your heart.

Your first instinct to the deficiency notice inside might be to pay them whatever they want, but don’t do it.

There are four common notices that you might receive from the IRS.

The Math-Error Notice tells you that you made a mathematical error on your tax return, or you used the wrong tax tables. But those notices often result from keypunch errors at the IRS, resulting in a correct return appearing to be erroneous.

The Late-Filing Notice is generated if you miss the tax-filing deadline, which is April 15 for most returns. If you received an extension for filing, the IRS may not be correct when they assess penalties for late filing.

The CP-2000 Matching Notice is a notice that the 1099 forms and W-2s filed by your employer, bank, broker, and mutual funds don’t match the information on your tax return. But this notice can result if you reported the income elsewhere on your tax return, for example, commissions reported as “other income” rather than “business income.” It can also result if the payer has used your social security number in error.

The Estimated Tax Notice assesses a penalty if your tax payments during the year are less than 90% of the total tax due on your return. But there are several exceptions to the estimated tax rules, for example, generally you are exempt from penalty if you paid at least as much in estimated tax this year as last year’s total tax bill. If you qualify for one of those exceptions, it’s up to you to notify the IRS that their assessment notice is wrong.

Almost half the notices sent by the IRS are in error, at least in part. So don’t panic when the IRS writes to you. Read the notice carefully, then follow these five simple rules.

Rule 1: Don’t hide your head in the sand
Do not ignore the IRS – they won’t go away. The IRS computer is programmed to send you a notice every few weeks. Those notices will escalate, each one more threatening, until finally they put a lien on your bank accounts.

Rule 2: Sooner is better 
The only way to stop the IRS notices is to respond, and the sooner the better. If you don’t respond within ten days, you’ll get another notice. If you telephone, be prepared for busy signals or a long wait on hold. And to be sure you have a record of your response, follow that phone call up with a letter.

Rule 3: Keep it simple, stupid
The IRS employees are overworked and not interested in reading a long, verbose explanation of your situation. Write your letter simple, grade-school terms, sticking to the facts and providing all the documentation needed.

Rule 4: Stay the course.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That applies in spades to dealing with the IRS. Your initial response may cross in the mail with the second IRS notice, so send them another letter with another copy of all necessary documentation. If you receive a third notice, it’s time to telephone the Problem Resolutions Office. Get the name of the person you talk to, and send them a copy of your correspondence and documentation.

Rule 5: Call out the big guns if necessary
If you follow these rules, but the dispute still escalates, it’s time to pay for some professional help. A tax adviser who works with the IRS on a regular basis can help you resolve your problems if you can’t get the IRS to understand and respond favorably to your communications.

6 thoughts on “Standing Up To The IRS”

  1. I left a job back in 2009 and needed money desperately to live on with daughter. So I cashed in on my 401k. I thought taxes were taken out I got like 6,000 .They didn’t catch error until years later that I hadn’t paid taxes on . I stated making payments but they kept attaching interest on it and couldn’t get ahead. Since then every year they have taken my income tax and I started to save 1,500 and they attached my bank took that in which was free money because, they never took it off my bill. Now current they give me 15 days every month to come up with money that keeps being free money to them. Recently they attached employee salary by the 15 of July….I’m scared! I have bad credit can’t take out a loan won’t be able to pay rent and will be out in the street before long. I need help separately!!! Is there any programs that can help me?

    1. If they are not reducing the delinquent taxes you owe by the funds they are withholding, you need to get that straightened out right away. Contact the IRS and ask for the Taxpayer Assistance Center at 800-829-1040. they may also be able to help you work out a payment plan that will work for you and be acceptable to them.

  2. OpT I have this ridiculous situation. In 2012, I file a tax return and forgot to claim a deduction for an IRA deduction.I filed an amendment 1040X making this correction April 2014 and requesting a $1560.00 refund. I got a letter acknowledging receipt of the amendment but nevertheless refund. I called the IRS on Monday. After waiting for over an hour, I finally was able to talk to someone. I can only describe him as a condescending jerk.

    the conversation went something like this:
    IRS: we received it but it had no bearing on the outcome.
    Me: I tried to take a deduction for an IRA contribution. I requested a refund of around $1500.
    IRS: you don’t know how much?
    Me: not the precise figure, but it was between 1500-1600dollars
    Irs: that must be the $1560 you requested.
    Me: $1560, that’s the figure.
    IRS: well it wasn’t processed
    Me: I received a letter from y’all, let me see what it says…
    IRS: I don’t need to hear what it says
    Me: it reads, “we have received your amendment and adjusted your return…..
    IRS: well it was all zeroed out and had no affect
    Me: take a look at my amendment, as you acknowledged, I sought a 1560 refund, it was processed
    IRS: I can’t see your amendment. File it again
    Me: you just read off the amount I requested for a refund
    IRS: file the amendment again
    Me: that’s what ha concerned. I have already filed an amendment,and the requested adjustment wasn’t made and no explanation is offered as to why. I would like to know why the amendment that I have already filed was not made, and this was never communicated to me, much less an explanation.
    IRS: my instruction to you is to file another amendment
    Me: how do I know we won’t be having this same conversation three months from now
    IRS: perhaps you didn’t hear me the first time. File another amendment

    The disconnect continues with me repeatedly asking what happened and him getting increasing condescending, stone point asking if I have difficulty with the English language. I ask to speak to his supervisor and he refuses,and refuses to give their name.

    I filed another amendment, but find these very hard to follow up on. Given how my first amendment got screwed up, I have no confidence that this amendment won’t confuse them more. Isn’t there some way to appeal or is the word of these people final?

  3. Is there a tax professional I can talk to for advice? I’m a service in the Air Force and don’t fully understand the taxes I’m allegedly required to pay.

    1. Do a little research to see if the Air Force has someone who can explain this to you. If not, ask around the base to see if you can get a tax professional recommendation from one of your fellow service members who has the same issues.

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