IRS Audit CP75 for 2024 Return: Must Prove Step-Daughter as Dependent, Filing Status, EIC and American Opportunity Credit Eligibility Within 30 Days
I just received a CP75 notice dated March 3, 2025 from the IRS for my 2024 tax return. They're auditing my return and holding my Earned Income Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit portions of my refund. The notice (CP75 PC0289) was sent from the IRS Examination Operations at 310 Lowell St Stop 854, Andover, MA 01810-0001. They're auditing my 2024 Form 1040 and I need to send supporting documentation within 30 days from the date of the notice. According to the letter, if I don't respond within that timeframe, they'll send an audit report proposing to disallow the items being audited, and I may owe additional tax. I've been claiming my step-daughter for the past 3 years with no issues, but now they're asking for documentation to prove she qualifies as my dependent. The notice specifically says I need to "Review the enclosed Form 886-H-DEP, Supporting Documents for Dependents" and "Submit the documentation requested to show you have eligible dependents." They're also questioning my Earned Income Credit eligibility, asking me to "Review the enclosed Form 886-H-EIC, Documents You Need to Send to Claim the Earned Income Credit on the Basis of a Qualifying Child or Children for tax year 2024" and "Submit the documentation requested to show your child or children met the relationship, age and residency tests." Additionally, they're questioning my filing status and want me to "Review the enclosed Form 14824, Supporting Documents to Prove Filing Status" and "Submit the documentation requested to verify your filing status." On top of all that, they're questioning the American Opportunity Credit I claimed, asking me to "Review the enclosed Form 886-H-AOC, Supporting Documents to Prove American Opportunity Credit" and "Submit the documentation requested to show you had eligible education expenses." The notice gives me a contact number of 866-897-0177 and my Caller ID is 278992. Has anyone gone through this process before? What kind of documentation would prove our relationship since she's not my biological child? Her mom and I aren't legally married but we've been living together for 6 years and I provide most of the financial support. I'm worried I'll end up owing a lot if they reject everything.
43 comments
Ezra Bates
I work as a tax professional and deal with these CP75 notices regularly. Here's what you need to know: For your stepdaughter dependency claim: - You'll need to prove relationship: custody agreement, school records showing you as guardian, medical records listing you as responsible party - Residency test: utility bills, school records, medical records showing your address - Support test: receipts for expenses like clothing, food, medical bills, school supplies showing you paid over 50% Since you're not legally married, the IRS may question your filing status. If you filed as Head of Household, you'll need to prove you paid more than half the cost of keeping up the home where your stepdaughter lived for more than half the year. For education credits, they'll want Form 1098-T from the educational institution and receipts for qualified expenses like tuition, books, and supplies. Don't panic - respond within the 30 days with as much documentation as possible. If you need more time, call the number on the notice and request an extension. Most importantly, don't ignore this notice - that will definitely result in losing your credits.
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Keith Davidson
Thank you for the detailed response! I do have school records with my address and her name on them. Do you think lease agreements showing both me and her mom on them would help with the residency test too?
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Ezra Bates
Yes, lease agreements with both names would definitely help establish residency. Also collect any medical bills, daycare receipts, or other official documents showing your address and her name. The more documentation you can provide, the better!
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Ana ErdoÄŸan
jumping in here - make sure the dates on those documents cover the entire year or at least more than 6 months. IRS is super picky about proving the timeframe for residency.
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Keith Davidson
That's a good point about the dates. I'll make sure to include documents spread throughout the year to show consistency.
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Sophia Carson
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Brooklyn Foley
After getting a similar audit notice last year, I spent HOURS trying to get through to the IRS. Found this app called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual human at the IRS in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. The agent walked me through exactly what documents I needed to send in for my stepdaughter audit. Best money I ever spent to finally get my questions answered directly from the source.
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Jay Lincoln
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Jessica Suarez
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Marcus Williams
I went through this exact audit last year. The worst part is waiting for them to process everything after you send it in. Took almost 3 months to get my refund after I responded to the audit. Make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING you send them and use certified mail so you have proof they received it!
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Lily Young
You need to understand how the IRS views step-children. Since you're not legally married to the mom, technically the child isnt your step-daughter in the eyes of the IRS. You'd need to qualify under different rules - either as the child being "placed with you by an authorized placement agency" or meeting the "member of household" test where they lived with you the entire year. This is a really important distinction!
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Keith Davidson
Oh wow I didn't realize this! So basically since we're not legally married, I need to prove she lived with me the entire year instead of just proving our relationship? That makes this more complicated.
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Lily Young
Exactly. The IRS is super technical about these definitions. For someone to be your "step-child" your marriage to their parent must be recognized by the state. Since you're not legally married, you need to qualify under the "member of household or relationship" test instead. Focus your documentation on proving she lived with you for the entire year.
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Kennedy Morrison
the irs is such a joke with these audits! they target regular ppl trying to get by while billionaires pay zero in taxes. i got audited last year for claiming my nephew and had to send like 50 documents. biggest waste of time ever. they just trying to scare you into not claiming the credits ur entitled to bc they hope u wont have the paperwork 🤡
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Wesley Hallow
For real 😩 My sister went through the same thing. They just pick on ppl who can't afford expensive tax attorneys.
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Justin Chang
I work at a community tax clinic and sadly, EIC claims are audited at a much higher rate than other things. Make sure you respond though - ignoring it only makes it worse.
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Grace Thomas
Make sure to respond to the notice within the 30 day window! I ignored mine thinking I could deal with it later and ended up losing all my credits. Had to file an appeal and it took FOREVER to get resolved. Don't be me lol
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Hunter Brighton
Send in school records (make sure it has YOUR ADDRESS), medical bills, any court paperwork if you have it. I send in a letter from her school signed by the principal stating she lived with me, her report cards, doctor's office printout of appointments (with my address listed), and utility bills showing I paid utilities where she lived. Oh and if you have health insurance for her that documentation is golden.
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Dylan Baskin
This! I had to go through this last year and the school records with my address were what saved me. Also got a letter from her pediatrician confirming I brought her to appointments.
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Keith Davidson
Thankfully I do have her on my health insurance! I'll definitely include that documentation. Thanks for the tip about getting a letter from the principal - I wouldn't have thought of that.
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Lauren Wood
honestly this is why i use taxr.ai for everything related to the irs now. i had a similar audit situation and was completely lost trying to decipher what they wanted. the tool told me exactly what documents to send and why. saved me so much time and stress. i ended up keeping all my credits! https://taxr.ai
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Ellie Lopez
how is this different from just calling the irs and asking them?
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Lauren Wood
have you tried calling the IRS lately? 🤣 i spent 4 hours on hold last time before getting disconnected. taxr gives you instant answers without the wait, and explains everything in normal human language instead of tax jargon. plus you can use it anytime, not just during IRS business hours.
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Chad Winthrope
I just successfully got through an audit for my girlfriend's daughter (similar situation). Here's what worked for me: 1. Included her birth certificate + explanation of relationship 2. School records showing my address + her name 3. Medical insurance card showing me as responsible party 4. Credit card statements showing purchases for her with timestamps throughout year 5. Wrote a statement explaining how much I contribute to household expenses vs her mom Make copies of EVERYTHING before sending in. Expect to wait 6-8 weeks for response.
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Keith Davidson
This is super helpful! Our situations sound very similar. Did they give you any trouble about not being legally married to her mom?
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Chad Winthrope
They actually didnt mention it at all in their response. I think as long as you can prove the living situation and financial support, they're satisfied. Just make sure documentation is clear about residency for more than half the year.
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Paige Cantoni
IRS is sending out massss audits this year for dependants and EIC. They don't have the staff to process them so it's taking foreeeever to get resolved. Contact your local Taxpayer Advocate Service if your response sits there for more than 60 days without update.
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Kylo Ren
Call the claimyr.com service and get connected to the IRS! I was stressing for weeks about my audit but once I actually talked to an agent they explained everything I needed. Couldn't have gotten through the wait times without it. The IRS agent even told me that people who respond with thorough documentation usually get approved without issues. Her advice was specific to my situation with my girlfriend's kids. Totally worth it to hear directly from the source.
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Nina Fitzgerald
yah but does it actually work? seems sketchy
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Kylo Ren
It definitely works! They basically hold your place in line and call you when they get through. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for 3 days to reach the IRS. Got my refund released after following the agent's advice.
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Nina Fitzgerald
ok might check it out then. been trying to talk to someone at the irs for weeks about my audit. thanks for the tip!
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Jason Brewer
Anyone know if I should mail the documents or fax them? Not sure which is more reliable when dealing with the IRS
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Kiara Fisherman
ALWAYS send by certified mail with return receipt if mailing documents. Otherwise there's no proof they received anything. Some IRS offices have digital upload options now too - check if that's available to you.
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Liam Cortez
the notice should tell you what options u have. mine had a website where i could upload everything. way faster than mail
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Savannah Vin
This happened to me last year and they denied my claim even after I sent everything in 😡 Had to get taxr.ai to help me appeal because I couldn't make sense of what they were saying was wrong with my documents. The tool explained exactly what was missing and how to fix it. Appeal was approved and I got my refund. Don't give up if they initially deny you!
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Keith Davidson
That's scary they denied you even with documentation! What was missing from your initial submission?
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Savannah Vin
The documents I sent only showed 5 months of the year. They need proof covering more than 6 months (183 days). I had the documentation but didn't realize I needed to cover the time period so thoroughly. Make sure your docs span January through December!
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Mason Stone
Ask the kid's school for an attendance record or enrollment verification letter showing your address. Schools usually have a form letter they can print out quickly that shows the child's address and guardian info. Most important thing is responding quickly and thoroughly.
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