IRS Love Letter? What to Do When You Get That Dreaded Notice
A surprise envelope from the IRS isn’t fun — but here’s exactly how to handle it calmly and fix it fast.
I’m Patrick Brunk — the guy you call when that unexpected IRS notice lands in your mailbox and ruins your day.
Most IRS letters aren’t an audit — they’re usually a simple mismatch, a missing form, or a balance due. But ignore them, and small mistakes can grow into penalties, liens, or worse.
I’ll break down what your letter really means, what not to do (like panic or hide it in a drawer), and how I help real people answer, fix, and close the IRS loop — before it turns into something bigger.
IRS Notices Decoded — No Panic Needed
The IRS sends millions of letters every year — most are automated, not personal. Common reasons:
- They think you underreported income (like a missing 1099).
- They recalculated your return and adjusted your refund.
- They say you owe more than you paid.
- They need more info to process your return.
- They want to audit something specific.
Most notices aren’t an audit — they’re a heads-up that something doesn’t match their records.
No — read it first!
Most letters have clear instructions:
- What they changed or want.
- What they think you owe (or overpaid).
- The deadline to respond or pay.
Ignoring it is what causes trouble — interest, penalties, or enforced collections. Open it, read it, and breathe.
Not always. If you agree with the notice, pay by the due date to avoid extra fees. But if you disagree, you can contest it — you just need to respond before the deadline on the letter.
The IRS will often work with you if you show you’re paying attention.
Then don’t just pay it! Many notices are wrong — or partly wrong. Maybe you already paid, or you have backup docs the IRS didn’t see.
You can reply with proof, like corrected forms, receipts, or an explanation. Always respond in writing — and keep copies of everything.
Bad move. The IRS can assume you agree with them by default — and start collecting. That can mean extra penalties, liens on your property, wage garnishments, or frozen bank accounts.
The sooner you answer, the cheaper and simpler it stays.
Not necessarily. A notice is just a letter — it could be a math error, a mismatch, or a missing form. A real audit means the IRS wants to review your records in depth.
The letter will specifically say if it’s an audit — and you’ll get clear steps to respond.
Small notices, like a simple math error or missing 1099, can be easy to handle alone. But if the amount is big, the issue is complex, or you’re worried about making it worse — get help.
A tax pro can decode the IRS jargon, write a clear response, and fight for the lowest legal amount you actually owe.
It depends — some notices are closed in days once you reply. Others take weeks or months if more digging is needed.
If you respond fast and clearly, you’ll avoid extra interest and get peace of mind sooner.
✅ Patrick's Bottom Line
An IRS letter can feel like a threat — but most problems are fixable fast when you know the rules and respond the right way.
Waiting only makes it worse (and more expensive).
📌 Got a notice? Book your free 30-min call — I’ll read it, decode the jargon, tell you what it really means, and help you deal with it calmly and cleanly.Explore Our Tax Playbook
Taxes shouldn’t feel like you need a secret decoder ring.
This library is here to break it all down — no ghosting, no jargon, no excuses.
Whether you run your own business, own rentals, got ghosted by your old CPA, or just want to stop tipping the IRS extra — pick your section, get clear answers, and fix it fast.
👉 Book your free 30-min call — I’ll help you figure out where to start, fix it right, and never ghost you.
Small Business & Self-Employed
Rental Properties & Real Estate
IRS Messes & Catch Up
Smart Tax Moves & Planning
Meet PATRICK
Discover why thousands trust Patrick to fix what big firms ignore.
Patrick built Brunk Tax Solutions to do one thing right: fix tax messes fast, with zero ghosting and real answers you can actually use. From small businesses and landlords to side hustlers and crypto investors — Patrick handles the details himself, no handoffs, no runaround.
👉 Want the truth about your taxes — and someone who’ll fix it fast? You found me.
Patrick R. Brunk, MBA, MAcc, EA
Patrick was the youngest person ever to earn an IRS Enrolled Agent license — just 20 years old — and he’s been untangling tough tax problems ever since. He’s filed thousands of complex returns, rescued frustrated clients stuck in “extension hell,” and built a reputation for honest, fast, no-surprise tax help.
When you hire Patrick, you don’t get ghosted. You get him — start to finish.
No call centers. No trainees. Just clear advice, fast action, and real results — every time.
