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CP321Q notice: what it means and what to do

Got an IRS CP321Q 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.

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What the IRS says this notice is about

Our records show you claimed the Schedule 1-A qualified overtime compensation deduction. Our initial review of your 2025 Form 1040 federal tax return suggests that you may have claimed too much qualified overtime on Schedule 1-A. You must ensure you qualify for all deductions and the amounts you claim.

If you made an error in your Schedule 1-A deductions, you may need to amend your return. This notice has been sent to inform you of this potential discrepancy and to help you verify if you claimed this deduction correctly. For more information on how to correctly claim these deductions, see the instructions for Schedule 1-A , found starting on page 101 of the 2025 Form 1040 Instructions PDF .

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

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

Review your 2025 Form 1040 and make sure you correctly claimed all deductions. If you made an error:

Failure to review and address any incorrect or incomplete information could result in additional communication from the IRS.

Common questions

What is the qualified overtime compensation deduction?

Under Working Families Tax Cuts , if you receive qualified overtime compensation, you may be able to deduct it. For 2025, employers aren’t required to report qualified overtime compensation separately on Forms W-2, 1099-NEC, and 1099-MISC. If you don’t receive a statement reporting the amount of qualified overtime compensation, use the 2025 Schedule 1-A Instructions to determine the deduction .

Who is eligible for the qualified overtime compensation deduction?

Workers with qualified overtime compensation. Qualified overtime compensation is overtime compensation paid to an individual required under section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) (29 USC § 207) that exceeds the regular rate at which the individual is employed. For example, if an individual is paid at “one and one-half times” their regular rate for an hour of overtime work as required by the FLSA, the “half” portion of the “one and one-half times” paid for an hour of overtime work is qualified overtime compensation.

Helpful information

Follow the links below to read more about topics related to the qualified tips and other new provisions:

Follow the links below to read more about filing an amended return or making a payment:

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Related notices

Source

  1. IRS: Understanding your CP321Q notice