The I.R.S sent me something. I’m afraid to open the letter

I continue to tell folks THE IRS WILL NOT CALL YOU ON THE PHONE! THEY WILL NOT SEND YOU AN EMAIL! These are scams and should be reported to the IRS.

9.2 million notices were sent out by the IRS last year.

And not all letters from the I.R.S. mean bad news. “OMG! What did I do?!” Most of the time, it is just a required notification. It’s just that return address that scares us. Since individuals use computer software to prepare their returns, math error notices are no longer sent as a matter of course.

There are many types of letter that the Service will send to both the taxpayer and spouse. Yes, they must send a separate mailing to each one even if they are at the same address. Here are a few of the types of letters you may see. The Notice Number or CP number (Computer Process) can be found in the upper right-hand corner along with a point of contact phone number.

CP2000 You forgot to report income on your tax return. Requires a response.

CP29 Issued to a taxpayer to request information pertaining to the original return filed when an amended return is received and there is no record of the original on master file.

CP31 Issued to inform the taxpayer that his/her refund check was returned as undelivered, and requests the taxpayer to supply IRS with his/her correct address.

CP 42 Issued to inform the taxpayer that an overpayment from his/her account has been used to offset a balance due in a secondary SSN account.

CP53 Issued to notify taxpayer that an electronic fund transfer is not honored.

CP57 Issued to notify the taxpayer that they have defaulted on a direct debit installment agreement due to insufficient funds. (after 01-01-2011, will include penalty on all dishonored payments).

CP59 First Notice for Non-Filer Return Delinquency is issued to inform the taxpayer that we have no record of a tax return filed.

CP71S Issued to all recipients of CP71 who have not full-paid their accounts. TP will use this notice to request an installment.

CP72 Issued to advise the taxpayer that the return filed is frivolous and his/her refund claimed is being withheld.

CP88 Refund held due to nonreceipt of previous year return with reason to believe taxes will be owed.

CP90 Final Notice, Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing

CP91 Final Notice Before Levy on Social Security Benefits

CP92A Notice of Levy on Your State Tax Refund. Notice of Your Right to a Hearing.

CP85A Taxpayer claimed head of household filing status and may be married.

CP85B Taxpayer claimed a qualifying child for EITC that may not be correct.

CP85C Taxpayer filed a Schedule C with little or no expenses and may not have a business.

CP87A Taxpayer claimed an exemption and/or qualifying child for EITC that was duplicated on another return.

CP87B Taxpayer claimed an exemption for themselves and another taxpayer also claimed the exemption.

CP87C Taxpayer claimed an exemption that was claimed on another return. The exemption claimed is over the age of 23 and filed a tax return reporting more than the exemption amount in gross income.

CP87D Taxpayer claimed an exemption for themselves and was also claimed on a joint return

There are 120 pages of various notices, but these are the ones taxpayers are more likely to see and need assistance in resolving.