Think Your IRS Tax Bill Is Wrong? Here’s What to Do

Filing a tax return can be confusing. The tax code is complicated, and mistakes happen all the time.

Even if you used a tax preparer, errors can still slip through. When that happens, the Internal Revenue Service may think you owe more tax than you actually do.

The IRS usually won’t catch mistakes that benefit you. If their records say you owe money, they will try to collect it unless the problem gets fixed.

The good news is that there are ways to correct an incorrect IRS tax bill.

Amending Your Tax Return

If your original return had a mistake, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. This process lets you fix things like missing income forms, incorrect deductions, or filing status errors.

You can usually amend a return even if the IRS has already started asking for payment. But if the correction results in a refund, there are time limits for claiming it.

If You Were Audited

Sometimes the IRS increases someone’s tax bill after an audit.

If you think the IRS got it wrong, you may still be able to fix it through a process called audit reconsideration. This process allows you to send the IRS information it may not have seen before.

If You Received a CP2000 Notice

A CP2000 Notice means the IRS believes something on your return doesn’t match the income information it received. This notice is not a final bill yet. It’s basically the IRS saying, “We think something is wrong.” Many CP2000 notices happen because of simple mistakes or missing forms, and they can often be corrected if you respond quickly.

Talk to a Tax Attorney if Your IRS Bill Looks Wrong

If you believe the IRS says you owe tax that you don’t actually owe, it’s important to deal with it before the situation gets worse.

Chandler R. Keeton is a Las Vegas tax attorney who helps taxpayers resolve IRS disputes and fix incorrect tax assessments.

If you’ve received an IRS notice or think your tax bill might be wrong, contact Keeton Tax Law at (702) 530-9709 to discuss your options.