Examination Report Transmittal Audit Report/Letter Giving Taxpayer 30 Days to Respond

This is a 30 day notice, please enter the date of your notice so we can help you determine how much time you have left to respond.

You have [days number] days remaining to remit payment.

Please send payment immediately or contact the IRS at 1-877-777-4778

You are [days number] late to remit payment.

Please send payment immadiately or contact the IRS at 1-877-777-4778

Overview
Letters 525, General 30-Day Letter, and 915, Examination Report Transmittal, are 30-day letters you receive when the audit of your tax return results in proposed adjustments.

I need more information

The first thing to do is to check the return address to be sure it’s from the Internal Revenue Service and not another agency.

What does this mean to me?

Form 4549, Report of Income Tax Examination Changes, a report showing the proposed adjustments to your tax return, will be enclosed with the letter. Generally, Letter 525 is issued if your audit was conducted by mail and Letter 915 is issued if your audit was conducted in person. These letters and the enclosed reports should identify the specific items the examiner is proposing be adjusted and provide an explanation as to why these adjustments are being proposed.

How did I get here?

You are receiving a 30-day letter because the IRS completed an examination of your tax return, after reviewing the information you provided. The examiner’s proposed changes will affect the amount of tax you owe or, perhaps, the credits you claimed. The 30-day letter is your opportunity to review these changes and determine if you agree or disagree with the changes proposed. If you disagree with the proposed changes, this letter gives you 30 days to request a conference with the IRS Independent Office of Appeals.

Review your options should you not agree with the proposed adjustments

Letters 525 and 915 outline your options should you not agree with the proposed adjustments. If you agree with the adjustments, you sign and return the agreement form. If you do not agree, respond to the IRS by the due date on the letter. This could include sending additional documentation or an explanation to support your position. If you need more time to submit your response, call the number on the letter before the due date to ask for additional time.

If the examiner still proposes a change to your tax return

If the examiner still proposes a change to your tax return, you can request an informal conference with the examiner’s manager prior to the response date in the letter. If you still disagree, you can request a conference with the IRS Independent Office of Appeals (Appeals) prior to the date in the letter. Make this request in writing and include your reasons for disagreeing with the IRS. Generally, you must request an Appeals conference within 30 days from the date of your letter to be given consideration. Review the procedures for appealing an IRS determination as outlined in Publication 3498, The Examination Process, or Publication 3498-A, The Examination Process (Examinations by Mail), to ensure that your request for an Appeals conference meets any requirements specified.

If you don’t respond by the due dates in the letter

The IRS may disallow what you claimed on your return and issue a Notice of Deficiency, Letter 3219 (if your audit was conducted by mail) or Letter 531 (if you had an in-person audit). This legal notice gives you 90 days to petition the United States Tax Court (you have 150 days if the notice is addressed to a person outside the United States).

Where can I get additional help?

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Publication 556

Examination of Returns, Appeals Rights and Claims for Refund

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Publication 1

Your Rights as a Taxpayer

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Publication 5

Your Appeals Rights and How to Prepare a Protest if you Don't Agree

General Resources

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If you still need help

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. We can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. If you qualify for our assistance, which is always free, we will do everything possible to help you.

Visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 1-877-777-4778.

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page on the TAS website or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.

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