Did we just trigger an IRS audit? Got this weird letter today

This is not necessarily a full audit, so don't panic! What you've received sounds like a CP75 letter, which is part of the IRS's normal verification process. It's basically the IRS asking you to substantiate (prove) certain deductions or credits you claimed. This is actually pretty common, especially for mortgage interest and charitable donations. The IRS has certain thresholds and patterns they look for, and sometimes they'll do these spot checks to verify the information. To respond: Gather all your documentation - charitable receipts, mortgage interest statements (Form 1098 from your lender), and any other relevant paperwork. Make copies (never send originals) and mail them with the response form that came with your letter. Make sure to include your name, tax ID, and the letter reference number on everything you send. If everything matches what you reported, you'll typically receive a letter indicating no changes are needed. If there are discrepancies, they'll propose adjustments to your return.

I went through something similar last year with charitable donations being questioned. I was totally stressed until I found this AI tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me figure out exactly what documentation I needed to submit and how to organize my response to the IRS. It analyzed the specific language in my IRS letter and gave me a customized response plan. The best part was uploading my donation receipts and getting confirmation that they met IRS requirements before sending them in. Saved me from making some mistakes that could have triggered more questions. My case was closed within 3 weeks after responding - no additional questions or issues. Might be worth checking out for peace of mind!

Just wanted to update - after being skeptical I actually tried taxr.ai last week for my business expense verification letter. I was surprised by how straightforward it made everything. The tool identified exactly which receipts matched the IRS questions and flagged two expenses where my documentation wasn't sufficient. I probably would have sent in an incomplete response without realizing it. I'm still waiting to hear back from the IRS, but at least I'm confident I provided exactly what they asked for. The step-by-step checklist made it much less stressful than trying to interpret the IRS letter on my own.

When I got an IRS letter last year, I spent THREE DAYS trying to get someone on the phone for clarification. The automated system kept disconnecting me after 2+ hours on hold. So frustrating! Finally found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes. They have this system that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line, then calls you when an agent is about to answer. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent explained exactly what they needed from me and even noted in my file that I had called to clarify. If you need to talk to a human at the IRS, this seriously saved me days of frustration.

Well I owe everyone an apology, especially the person who recommended Claimyr. I was completely wrong about it being BS. I was so fed up with the IRS that I was skeptical of anything that claimed to help. I tried it yesterday after waiting on hold for 3+ hours earlier in the week. I got connected to an IRS representative in about 25 minutes total. The agent was able to explain exactly which documentation they needed for my side business deductions and why the automatic system had flagged it. Turns out I was using the wrong form for some of my contractor expenses. She even gave me her direct line for follow-up questions. Totally worth it just to get actual answers instead of guessing what they wanted.

I've been through two IRS verifications (not full audits) in the past few years. Here's what I learned: 1) Respond within the timeframe they give you - this is super important 2) Don't send more documentation than asked for - it can open up other questions 3) Send COPIES, never originals 4) Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery 5) Make a cover sheet listing every document you're including If the charitable donations were to multiple organizations, make sure you have acknowledgment letters for any donation over $250. For smaller donations, bank statements or canceled checks work. Your mortgage interest should be easy - just the 1098 form from your lender.

Wait, don't freak out yet. What EXACTLY does the letter say? If it's a CP2000, that's not an audit - it's a notice of proposed changes based on income reporting discrepancies. If it's a CP75 or CP75A, that's requesting proof of certain credits/deductions. Each letter requires different responses. Look at the top right corner of the letter for the notice number. That'll tell us exactly what you're dealing with and how serious it is.