Got CP518 Notice for Tax Year 2020 - What Should I Do Now?

This happens more often than you'd think! The IRS had significant processing delays for 2020 returns due to pandemic-related issues, and sometimes electronic returns get lost in their system. First, don't panic. You have a few options here. Since you filed electronically and received a refund, there's evidence your return was actually processed, which makes this likely a system error on their end. I'd recommend calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (not the number on the notice) and prepare to be patient. Early morning is usually the best time to call. Have your CP518 notice, your 2020 tax return copy, and the acceptance confirmation from TurboTax ready. If you can't get through by phone, you should respond in writing. Send a letter explaining that you did file, including copies of your filed return and the TurboTax acceptance confirmation. Send this by certified mail so you have proof it was delivered. Another option is visiting a local Taxpayer Assistance Center, but you'll need to schedule an appointment first by calling 844-545-5640.

This exact thing happened to me last year with my 2019 return! I spent weeks trying to call the IRS with no luck. I finally found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me sort through all my tax documents and create a proper response. I uploaded my CP518 notice and my tax transcript, and they generated a detailed analysis showing that I had actually filed and that the IRS had even processed my payment! Their system found proof in my transcript that the IRS had actually cashed my check, which was the smoking gun I needed. The best part was they helped me draft a response letter with all the right references and attachments to send to the IRS. Within about 6 weeks, I got a resolution letter saying it was all cleared up. Such a relief after months of stress!

I wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai since I was skeptical at first. After getting nowhere with the IRS for weeks on my CP518 notice, I finally tried the service that was mentioned here. It was surprisingly helpful! I uploaded my notice and the confirmation email from when I filed, and their system actually found a discrepancy in the IRS records. Turns out there was a mismatch between my SSN digits on one form that was causing the whole problem. They generated a response letter that explained exactly what happened, included the right documentation, and told me where to send it. The IRS cleared the issue about a month after I sent everything in. Honestly wish I had tried this sooner instead of stressing for weeks!

Has anyone tried using Claimyr to actually get through to an IRS agent about these notices? I used https://claimyr.com when I had a similar notice problem and they got me connected to an actual human at the IRS in less than 20 minutes. You can see how it works in their demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Honestly after trying for days to get through on my own (always getting disconnected or told to call back later), I was shocked when they actually got me through so quickly. The IRS agent I spoke with was able to pull up my file and confirm they had actually received my return despite sending the notice. She put notes in my account and told me to disregard the notice - problem solved in one phone call!

Just wanted to update about my CP518 situation and using Claimyr that someone mentioned here. After being extremely skeptical, I decided to try it as a last resort since I couldn't get through to the IRS after 3+ weeks of trying. I'm shocked to say it actually worked! I got connected to an IRS representative in about 35 minutes (which is practically light speed compared to my previous attempts). The agent confirmed they could see my 2020 return in their system despite sending the notice. There was some kind of internal flag on my account that triggered the notice erroneously. The representative removed the flag and made notes in my account. They said I'll get a confirmation letter in about 3 weeks, but I don't need to do anything else. What a relief after weeks of stress! Sometimes it really is worth it to try something new when you're stuck.

I handled a CP518 last year and found that sending in a paper copy of your already filed return with proof of e-filing receipt is the safest approach. Mark each page with "COPY - ORIGINALLY FILED ELECTRONICALLY ON [DATE]" in red at the top. Also include a brief cover letter explaining the situation and referencing the notice number. Send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof it was delivered. In my experience, you'll get a resolution letter in about 6-8 weeks. Keep checking your tax transcript online (you can request it at irs.gov) to see if there's any update to your account.

Has anyone used TurboTax to get their acceptance records from 2020? I'm in a similar situation but can't find my original confirmation email. Do they keep records that far back or am I out of luck?

I went through this exact situation with a CP518 notice for my 2019 return. The key thing to understand is that the IRS systems sometimes don't properly match electronically filed returns, especially during peak processing periods. Here's what worked for me: I gathered all my documentation (TurboTax acceptance confirmation, bank records showing the refund deposit, and a copy of my filed return) and sent a comprehensive response package via certified mail. In my cover letter, I clearly stated "This is a response to CP518 notice - return was electronically filed and processed" and included the notice number. The most important thing I learned is to request your tax transcript from irs.gov before responding. Even though they sent you a CP518, your transcript might actually show that your return was processed. This happened to me - the transcript showed transaction codes proving they had my return, which made my response much stronger. Also, don't worry too much about penalties. If you can prove you filed on time (which your TurboTax confirmation should do), you won't face failure-to-file penalties. The IRS typically reverses these notices once they locate the original return in their system. One last tip: keep detailed records of everything you send them, including certified mail receipts. This will be helpful if you need to follow up or escalate to Taxpayer Advocate Service later.