The IRS steps
- Read it carefully and keep it for your records.
- Find the notice number, CP or LTR followed by digits, in the corner of the letter; it tells you which type of notice it is.
- Reply only if asked. The IRS says you do not need to reply unless it specifically asks you to.
- If a reply is requested, act by the due date.
- If you owe, pay what you can by the due date, even if not the full amount, because that limits added interest and penalties; or set up a payment plan.
- If you disagree, follow the instructions in the notice to dispute it.
Checking that it is real
The IRS suggests searching IRS.gov for the notice by its number or topic. If it does not show up, or the letter looks suspicious, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and follow the representative's instructions. Certain notices also appear in your IRS online account, which is a second way to confirm one. For emails or texts that claim to come from the IRS, how to check a suspicious link covers what to look at before clicking.
When the notice says you owe
| Option (IRS) | What it means |
|---|---|
| Pay in full by the due date | avoids further interest and penalties on that amount |
| Pay part by the due date | limits interest and penalties to the unpaid rest |
| Short-term payment plan | pay within 180 days, no setup fee |
| Long-term installment agreement | monthly payments; for taxpayers who filed on time the failure-to-pay penalty falls from 0.5% to 0.25% a month during the plan |
| Disagree | follow the dispute instructions in the notice by the due date |
The guide IRS payment plans has the eligibility limits and setup fees, and the loan calculator shows what a balance looks like spread over months.
Keeping it from happening again
- Check withholding so the year does not end with a balance: how to fill out Form W-4.
- Pay quarterly if you have income without withholding: estimated quarterly taxes 2026.
- Keep the records that support the return: how long to keep tax records.
This guide follows the IRS page on understanding notices and letters. Each notice states its own deadline and steps, which govern that case.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I get a letter from the IRS?
Read it carefully and keep it, the IRS says. You do not need to reply unless the notice specifically asks you to; if it does, act by the due date. If you owe, pay what you can by the due date even if it is not the full amount, which limits added interest and penalties, or set up a payment plan. If you disagree, follow the instructions in the notice to dispute it.
How do I know an IRS letter is real?
The IRS suggests searching IRS.gov for the notice by its number or topic. The notice or letter number, beginning CP or LTR, is in the corner of the letter. If it does not come up in the search or looks suspicious, the IRS says to call 800-829-1040 and follow the representative's instructions.
Do I have to respond to an IRS notice?
Only if it asks, the IRS says. When a response is requested, the due date matters: interest and penalties keep building on unpaid amounts, and the notice explains the steps and the deadline.
I cannot pay what the notice says. What now?
Pay what you can by the due date and apply for a payment plan. The IRS offers short-term plans of up to 180 days with no setup fee and long-term installment agreements, and for taxpayers who filed on time it reduces the failure-to-pay penalty from 0.5 to 0.25 percent a month during an approved plan.
Can I see my notices online?
The IRS says certain notices are available in your IRS online account, which also shows balances and payment history. Keep the paper notice either way for your records.
Sources
- IRS: Understanding your IRS notice or letter (review it carefully and keep it; reply only if asked; act by the due date; pay what you can to limit interest and penalties; payment plans; follow the instructions to dispute; the CP or LTR number in the corner; search IRS.gov or call 800-829-1040 if it looks suspicious; certain notices in the online account)
- IRS: Payment plans, installment agreements (short-term plans of 180 days or less with no setup fee; long-term plans)
- IRS: Failure to pay penalty (0.5 percent a month, 0.25 percent during an approved payment plan for those who filed on time)
General information based on the sources above, not tax, legal or financial advice.