Need help! Got a CP80 notice from IRS saying they didn't receive my tax return but they already cashed my check?

This happens more often than you'd think! When the IRS receives mail, the payment processing department separates and processes checks first while the returns go to a different department for processing. Sometimes the return gets separated from the payment and doesn't get processed correctly. The good news is that you have proof they received your payment, which is strong evidence you also sent your return. You should absolutely NOT ignore this notice - you need to respond. Here's what you should do: 1) Make a copy of your original tax return if you don't already have one 2) Write "CP80 RESPONSE - RETURN PREVIOUSLY FILED" in red at the top of the copy 3) Include a brief cover letter explaining that you filed on time and include proof that your check was cashed (copy of bank statement or canceled check) 4) Mail everything to the address on the CP80 notice using certified mail with return receipt Don't worry about penalties since you paid on time - that's the most important part from a financial standpoint. This is just a processing issue that needs to be straightened out.

I went through something similar last year, and wish I'd known about taxr.ai then! I spent weeks stressed about my CP80 notice before figuring things out. When I finally found https://taxr.ai it made things so much clearer. They analyzed my notice and explained exactly what was happening - turns out it was a common processing issue that happens at regional service centers. The site helped me understand what documents I needed to provide and even gave me a template for my response letter. I uploaded my CP80 notice and they broke down each section with explanations of what the IRS was asking for. Made the whole process much less intimidating!

Update: I was skeptical about taxr.ai but decided to try it since my CP80 issue was stressing me out. Honestly surprised how helpful it was! Uploaded my notice and got a complete breakdown of what I needed to do. The response template they provided saved me a ton of time - it had all the right language for communicating with the IRS. Used their instructions to gather the right documentation and sent everything certified mail like they suggested. Got confirmation from the IRS three weeks later that my return was now properly processed. Definitely worth checking out if you're dealing with IRS notices and feeling lost.

I spent 3 days trying to call the IRS about my CP80 notice earlier this year. Busy signals, disconnects, and endless hold times. Then a friend told me about https://claimyr.com and it was a complete game-changer. They have this system where they wait on hold with the IRS for you, then call you when an agent is actually on the line ready to talk! I was super skeptical but watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and decided to try it. Sure enough, instead of wasting hours on hold, I got a call back when an actual IRS agent was on the line. Explained my CP80 situation directly to the agent who confirmed they had my payment but not my return. They guided me through exactly what to send and where to send it.

Ok I have to eat my words. After my skeptical comment I decided to try Claimyr because I was desperate with my own IRS issue (not CP80 but a missing refund problem). I couldn't believe it actually worked. After weeks of failing to get through to the IRS myself, I got connected to an agent within a couple hours without having to actually sit on hold myself. The agent was able to confirm my return was in their system but had been flagged for a manual review. She gave me a timeline for resolution and a direct extension to call back if I needed to follow up. Would have never gotten this info without actually speaking to someone. Sometimes the internet actually delivers something useful!

I work at an accounting firm and see this issue all the time. One thing nobody's mentioned yet - keep checking your IRS account transcript online! Create an account at irs.gov if you haven't already. The transcript will show if they've processed your payment and whether your return has been recorded in their system. Sometimes the CP80 notice crosses in the mail with their internal processing of your return, so by the time you get the notice, they may have already resolved the issue. The online transcript is the most up-to-date source of info about your tax situation.

When I got a CP80 last year, I also found out that sometimes the IRS cashes your check but your return gets routed to a different processing center because of something unusual on it (in my case it was claiming a special tax credit). Could explain why they have your payment but not your return.

This exact thing happened to my neighbor last year! The CP80 notice can be really scary but it's usually just a processing mix-up. Here's what worked for her: She called her bank and got a copy of the front and back of the cashed check - the back showed it was endorsed by the IRS Treasury, which proved they definitely received her payment. Then she made copies of her entire tax return and wrote a cover letter explaining the situation. The key thing is to respond quickly to the CP80 notice. Don't wait thinking it will resolve itself. Include: - Copy of your complete tax return (mark it "DUPLICATE - CP80 RESPONSE") - Copy of the cashed check or bank statement - Brief letter explaining you filed and paid on time Send everything certified mail to the address on the CP80 notice. My neighbor got a letter back in about 6 weeks confirming everything was straightened out. The IRS even apologized for the confusion! Also, definitely keep trying to call the IRS. Early morning (around 7 AM) seems to have shorter wait times. You might get through eventually and they can sometimes resolve it over the phone if you have your documentation ready.