Chris Dykstra, EA

IRS Notice Response Checklist

Use this checklist before responding to an IRS notice or sharing it with a tax professional.

First Review

Confirm the notice is addressed to you or your business
Identify the tax year and form involved
Locate the notice number, usually shown near the upper-right corner
Read the response deadline and requested action
Compare the notice with your filed return and records

Gather Documentation

Copy of the complete notice, including all pages
Copy of the tax return involved
IRS account transcript, if available
Supporting income, deduction, credit, or payment records
Prior correspondence or proof of earlier responses

Before Responding

Do not ignore the deadline
Do not send original documents unless specifically required
Keep copies of everything submitted
Use a trackable mailing method when mailing a response
Avoid sending sensitive documents through ordinary email
Consider professional representation if the issue is unclear or significant