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Letter 2030: what it means and what to do
Got an IRS Letter 2030? 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 Letter 2030 freeWhat the IRS says this notice is about
We're proposing changes to income, deductions and payments reported on your Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return PDF , or Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts PDF . We compared your information with items reported to us by banks, businesses and other payers.
What you need to do
- Compare the information in the two columns - "Shown on return" and "As corrected by IRS". Did you receive the income? If you received the income, did you report it on your tax return? IRS employees search the tax return to locate all income, but they may be unable to determine the source if some items are combined.
- If you didn't report the income on your tax return, you don't need to file an amended return to report it. Check the box on the response Form 15113, Request Verification for Unreported Income, Deductions, Payments, and/or Credits on BMF Income Tax Returns Matched to Payer Information Documents, indicating that you agree with all the changes, sign and date the form and return it with your check or money order made payable to the United States Treasury.
- If you agree with the increase, but you can't pay the entire balance due, you may be able to request a payment plan. If you didn't report the income for another reason, send us an explanation.
- If you don't agree with the increase, check the box on the response Form 15113 indicating you don’t agree with some or all of the changes and return it with a signed statement explaining each item of discrepancy. If applicable, attach copies of documents to support the entries on the original return.
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 may be able to remove the penalties
If you had no penalties in the 3 tax years before, filed all required returns, and paid or arranged to pay the tax, the IRS First-Time Abatement policy can remove failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties. You can ask in writing or by phone.
Cannot pay it all now? Ask for a payment plan
You can apply for a payment plan on irs.gov. Interest keeps running until the balance is paid, so pay what you can now.
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
- Send us the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the other party that received the income if it isn't yours.
- Notify the payers to correct their records to show the name and taxpayer identification number of the person or business who actually received the income, so future reports to us are accurate.
- Contact us if you have questions.
Common questions
Is this a bill?
No. We're asking you to verify the income, tax, deductions and payments reported on your tax return because they're different from the information we received from other sources. This letter is only a proposal that gives you an opportunity to disagree, partially agree, or agree with the proposed changes. We haven't charged any additional tax at this time.
Why did it take you so long to contact us about this?
Tax years generally end on Dec. 31, but we don't receive information from banks, businesses, and other payers until much later. Once we receive all the tax returns and payer information, we compare the information you reported with the information third party payers provided to us. It can take 8 months or more to complete this review.
Should I call with my response or mail it in?
If you have a simple response, such as directing us to a specific line on your original return where you reported the income, you can call the toll-free number on the letter and provide the information. We may require a written response if the issue is more involved, especially if you disagree with some of the proposed changes. You may want to mail copies of payer information documents such as Forms 1099 or Schedules K-1. Include any other letters or documents that support your position. You should submit a written statement to explain any unusual tax situations.
I need more time to find my records and go through them all. Will you allow me additional time to respond?
If you don’t respond by the date shown on the letter, we'll continue processing the case using the proposed changes. If you need more time to research your records, you can call us at the number on your letter to request a 30-day extension. We may also provide additional time to respond if you have unusual circumstances. Additional interest and any applicable penalties will accrue on the account during the period of the extension if the tax increase is correct.
Do I have to pay the interest? Can you remove it?
The law requires us to charge interest on any tax that isn't paid by the return due date (Internal Revenue Code Section 6601).
The law doesn't permit us to reduce or remove interest for reasonable cause. However, in limited circumstances, we may waive penalties. If you believe you qualify for penalty removal, you should include related information in your response
What should I do to avoid problems like this in the future?
- Keep accurate payment information from banks and other payers to verify you received all payment information for filing your return. Review the documents to be sure they show your most current address.
- Report specific income types on the correct lines on the Forms 1120 PDF or 1041 PDF . For more information, see the reporting instructions for the form you're required to file.
- If you report income on a line not traditionally reserved for that type of income, provide a statement explaining where you reported the income.
- Always attach a statement identifying the source of the amount reported on Form 1120, line 10, or Form 1041, line 8 (Other Income).
- Attach a statement explaining your percentage of gross proceeds that you would be liable to claim on your tax return.
- Generally, if you receive a Form 1099 for amounts that actually belong to another person, you are a nominee recipient. You must file a Form 1099 with the IRS (the same type of Form 1099 you received) for each of the other owners showing the amounts applicable to each.
Helpful information
- Publication 542, Corporations PDF
- Form 433-D, Installment Agreement PDF
- Instructions for Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts PDF
- Instructions for Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return PDF
- Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return PDF