Received Audit Code 420 on Jan 31 - Notice Issue Date Feb 17 but Nothing in Mail Yet

Code 420 is an examination indicator that means your return has been selected for audit. The notice issued date of 2/17/2024 means the IRS generated the notice on that date. It typically takes 5-7 business days (sometimes up to 14 days) for mail to arrive after the notice date. Today is only day 9 since 2/17, so it's still within normal timeframes. The notice will be a CP75 or CP75A, requesting documentation for specific items on your return. You'll have exactly 30 days from the date on the letter to respond with documentation.

Have you checked if you can access your IRS account online? Sometimes notices are available there before they arrive in mail. It's similar to how banking notifications work - digital often precedes physical mail. Also, was there anything unusual about your filing this year compared to previous years?

Isn't it frustrating when you're left waiting for important tax notices without any clear timeline? I was in the exact same position last spring - audit code appeared but no letter for weeks. After trying the regular IRS number 30+ times, I finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 18 minutes. They confirmed exactly what my audit was about and when the letter was actually mailed, which gave me peace of mind and extra time to prepare. Honestly, was such a relief to actually speak to someone instead of wondering what was happening!

Don't wait for the mail to start preparing. I made that mistake and only had 12 days left to gather everything once I got the letter. Start collecting your supporting documents now - especially since you mentioned you're not a US citizen by birth, they might be looking at foreign income or tax treaty items. The IRS is absolutely strict about their deadlines and won't care if their mail was delayed.

OMG the exact same thing happened to me last month! I was freaking out bc nothing showed up in my mailbox. Finally tried taxr.ai to analyze my transcript and it explained that the 420 code was prob related to my education credits (it was!). The site showed me exactly what docs I'd need based on the specific audit type. Saved me from panicking for another week until the letter finally arrived. Tbh I was shocked how accurate it was about predicting what the IRS was questioning.

Be advised that correspondence audits typically have a response deadline of 30 calendar days from the date printed on the notice, not from when you receive it. In a situation I encountered last tax season, the CP75 notice arrived 18 days after the issue date due to USPS routing delays, leaving only 12 days to compile documentation. The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service has acknowledged these timing issues but has not implemented procedural changes to address them. Consider requesting an extension immediately upon receipt of the notice if you require additional time.

As someone who's dealt with IRS correspondence delays before, I'd recommend calling the IRS practitioner priority line if you have representation, or the general taxpayer line at (800) 829-1040 to confirm they have your correct mailing address on file. Sometimes audit notices get delayed or lost due to address discrepancies in their system. Also, since you mentioned not being a US citizen by birth, make sure you have documentation ready for any foreign accounts, income, or tax treaty benefits you may have claimed - these are common audit triggers. The 30-day response window starts from the notice date, not when you receive it, so time could be ticking even if the letter hasn't arrived yet.