Home › IRS notices › CP13 notice
CP13 notice: what it means and what to do
Got an IRS CP13 notice? Here is what it means, your deadline, what to check before you answer, and how to reply. Check your own letter free: it stays on your phone.
Check my CP13 notice freeWhat the IRS says this notice is about
We corrected one or more mistakes on your tax return. You're not due a refund nor do you owe an additional amount because of our changes. Your account balance is zero.
What you need to do
Read your notice carefully to see what was changed on your return and how those changes affected your balance.
- If you agree with the changes we made , you don’t need to respond to your notice. Correct the copy of your tax return for your records, but do not send it to us.
- If you disagree with our changes , contact us at the number shown on the notice by the date indicated.
Your deadline
Answer by the date printed on your notice. If there is no date, answer as soon as you can, and call the number on the notice if you need more time.
What to check before you answer
You have 60 days to disagree
If you disagree with the change and ask in writing within 60 days of the notice date, the law requires the IRS to reverse it. If the IRS still disagrees, it must then use the regular process, which keeps your appeal rights.
Is this letter really from the IRS?
The IRS writes first by mail. A real letter shows a notice or letter number, your name and part of your tax ID number. The IRS does not ask for payment by gift card, crypto or wire transfer. If in doubt, sign in to your IRS online account, where many notices are listed.
You may want to
Visit Online Account to:
- Access tax records
- View your balance
- Make and view payments
- View or create payment plans
- Manage your profile preferences
- View tax professional authorizations
- Learn more about accessibility options
- View tax transcripts
Common questions
Review the “What we changed on your return” section of your notice. For more information about the errors on your return, call us at the number shown in “Where to find more information.
If you disagree, contact us by the date shown on your notice. Call us at the toll-free number shown in the “Where to find more information” section of your notice. The fastest way to resolve many return errors is by telephone. Some cases require additional information that you may provide verbally. If we need a missing or corrected form or document, you can fax your documents using either a fax machine or online fax service while on the telephone. Protect yourself when sending digital data by understanding the fax service’s privacy and security policies.
We’ll reverse most changes we made if we increased the amount you owe or if your return requested a refund. You don’t need to provide an explanation or additional documents when you request the reversal, but doing so may help us resolve your case more quickly. If we don’t receive information that supports your original return, we may forward your case for audit, in which case the audit staff will contact you within 6 weeks to explain the process and your rights.
If you don’t contact us by the date shown on your notice, you will lose formal rights to have the change(s) reversed, as well as your right to appeal our decision to the U.S. Tax Court. However, if you contact us and send supporting documentation after that date, we will still consider that information and we may reverse the change(s) to your return if we agree with you.
You'll need to file a Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return PDF , to make a correction.
Get my response letter for CP13 notice