IRS Process and Notices

An IRS notice is a written communication from the IRS about a return, account issue, payment matter, or other tax follow-up.

A tax refund is the amount returned to the taxpayer when payments and refundable credits exceed the final tax result on the return.

A tax transcript is a record summary that reflects filed return information, account activity, or related tax data kept by the IRS.

A CP2000 notice is an IRS notice that commonly relates to reported information that may not match the return the taxpayer filed.

A tax deficiency is the amount by which the IRS believes the correct tax exceeds the amount shown or paid on a return.

A notice of deficiency is a formal IRS notice asserting that additional tax is owed and moving the matter beyond an ordinary informational letter.

A taxpayer identification number is the identifying number used to connect a taxpayer or tax-related filing party to tax records and reporting.

An employer identification number is the business tax identification number used to connect an entity to tax filings, reporting, and IRS records.

An individual taxpayer identification number is a specific taxpayer identification number used in tax administration when the relevant taxpayer does not use a Social Security number in that role.

An installment agreement is a payment arrangement that lets a taxpayer pay an IRS balance over time instead of in one lump sum.

An offer in compromise is an IRS tax-debt resolution concept involving a proposed settlement of an outstanding tax liability.

Terms for return processing, IRS communications, and the steps taxpayers often face after filing.