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Letter 2802C: what it means and what to do
Got an IRS Letter 2802C? 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 2802C freeWhat the IRS says this notice is about
You received this letter because we determined that your withholding doesn’t comply with our guidelines. If you do a correction now, you will avoid receiving a lock-in letter in the future that tells your employer to increase your withholding rate. You can disregard this letter if you already corrected your W-4.
What you need to do
- Use the Tax Withholding Estimator to determine your correct withholding amount. Complete the W-4 provided in the letter and give to your employer.
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
- Download the following material: Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate PDF
- Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax PDF
- Use the Tax Withholding Estimator to figure your correct amount of federal income tax withholding. The estimator is particularly helpful if you've had too much or too little withheld in the past, your situation has changed, or you’re starting a new job.
Common questions
What is a 2802C letter?
This letter is a self-correcting letter. The goal is to have you, as the taxpayer, self-correct. The Tax Withholding Estimator located on this site is an effective tool to help you determine your correct withholding amount. You don’t need to take any action with the IRS. Simply fill out another W-4 with the correct withholding and give to your employer.
What happens if the IRS determines that I do not have adequate withholding?
We can tell your employer to withhold federal income tax at an increased rate. We do this by issuing a “lock-in letter.” At that point, your employer must disregard any Form W-4 that decreases the amount of your withholding. You’ll receive a copy of the lock-in letter, and we’ll give you some time before the lock-in rate is effective to submit a new Form W-4. If you write to the IRS, include a statement that explains why you believe you’re entitled to a different withholding rate or number of withholding allowances. Once we issue a lock-in letter, you won’t be able to decrease your withholding unless we approve it.
What if I don’t want to submit a Form W-4 to my employer?
Once you are issued a lock-in letter, you will be given a telephone number to call the IRS for a modification. You will have 60 days to call the IRS. After that date, your employer must withhold income tax from your wages at a single rate with zero allowances.
Get my response letter for Letter 2802CRelated notices
- CP120A notice
- CP136 notice
- CP136B notice
- CP137 notice
- CP137A notice
- CP137B notice
- CP209 notice
- CP211A notice