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What Not to Do When You Get a Tax Notice

A letter from the IRS or your state tax office is enough to spike anyone’s anxiety. These correspondences often come with the intimidating IRS seal and language that hints at complex issues.

Before rushing to conclusions, however, it's crucial to pause and breathe.Image 1

Most anxiety over IRS or state tax notices isn't driven by the letters themselves but by swift emotional reactions to them. Here’s a practical guide on what not to do if you receive such a notice, and why a measured response is important.

Don’t Jump to Conclusions

Tax agencies issue millions of notices annually. Most of these are simply:

  • Requests for information clarification

  • Automated notices for mismatched data

  • Follow-ups for missing submissions

  • Balance updates omitting recent payments

A notice is not necessarily a judgment. Often, it’s just a request for confirmation or minor corrections. Anticipating the worst before understanding the situation only adds stress.

Don’t Dismiss the Notice

Disregarding a tax notice will only amplify a minor problem into a major one.

By ignoring these letters, you risk:Image 2

  • Missing response deadlines

  • Incurring extra penalties and interest

  • Limiting your options for resolution

This applies to both IRS and state taxes. In fact, state tax agencies often act more swiftly and rigorously than the IRS when deadlines pass uneventfully.

Don’t Call Without Preparation

Surprised? Calling without thoroughly understanding your tax notice can lead to trouble. It often results in:

  • Solidifying inaccurate assumptions

  • Providing incomplete or incorrect explanations

  • Greater confusion if the issues are more complicated than they appear

Tax departments follow procedures rigidly. Calls made without adequate preparation can complicate rather than resolve issues.

Don’t Make a Payment to "Erase" the Issue

This is a common but expensive misstep.

Paying immediately without verifying the notice could mean:

  • Overpayment

  • Missing valuable credits or adjustments

  • Losing the opportunity to contest errors

Once a payment is processed, correcting mistakes becomes significantly more challenging.

Don’t Hastefully Amend Your Return

Amended returns are a tool, not a panacea. Rash amendments can:

  • Take considerable time to process

  • Invite further scrutiny

  • Cause additional issues if not done correctly

Amendments should be strategic, not reactionary.

Avoid the DIY Approach

Some tax notices are straightforward, but others aren't. Minor issues can sometimes indicate:

  • Withholding errors

  • Inconsistent reports

  • Misestimated taxes

  • Carryover errors from past years

Tackling tax intricacies solo can add more strain—especially when adherence to deadlines and compliance with enforcement are at stake.

Recommended Actions

Handling tax notices effectively involves three essential steps:

  1. Carefully read through the notice

  2. Grasp the tax agency's request

  3. Respond accurately and on schedule

These steps are easier with professional guidance, especially when emotions run high.Image 3

The Conclusion

Receiving a tax notice can indeed be daunting, yet it needn't be debilitating. Many complications arise not from the notice itself but from assumptions and drastic actions.

For assistance with a tax notice, get in touch with our office before proceeding. Our existing clients benefit significantly when we are alerted early, enabling us to scrutinize the notice, verify the demands, and minimize distress.

Important Note

This article serves general educational purposes and is not a substitute for legal advice. Variability in tax notices and individual situations necessitates consulting a qualified attorney for legal advice. For professional help with IRS or state tax correspondence, contact your trusted tax advisor.

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Gilbert, Arizona 85233
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