What’s IRS Notice CP 2000?

If you receive a letter in the mail from the IRS that’s marked “CP 2000,” it isn’t an audit notice. The IRS sends it because the Service has identified that the information on your return doesn’t match what was reported by third parties (e.g., employers, banks, brokerage firms) (FS-2018-11). The IRS proposes changes to your tax return and wants to see whether you agree or disagree. You have 30 days to respond. There’s a telephone number on the notice that you can call for an explanation and what you need to do to resolve discrepancies. For example, if you believe that the information provided to the IRS by your employer or other third party is wrong, you can contact the party and ask that a corrected information return be submitted to the IRS.

If you don’t respond to CP 2000 within 30 days, the IRS will send a second notice (CP3219A), which is a statutory notice of deficiency. This letter explains the tax changes that the IRS wants to make to your return. You can pay what the IRS is requesting or follow instructions to take your matter to Tax Court. You can learn more about this notice by viewing a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM0ohTywLS4).

Caution: If you receive a letter in the mail but you’re not sure whether it’s from the IRS or is a scam, call the Service’s general number (800-829-1040).