Transcript Says 'Enclosed' - What Does This Mean for My Return?
So I just checked my transcript online after waiting for my refund (I drive for Uber and do some food delivery, so I'm really counting on this money). When I logged in and checked the 2023 transcript, I noticed it says 'Enclosed' in a couple of places. I've filed my own taxes for a few years now and never seen this before. Last year was pretty straightforward - I made sure to track all my mileage and expenses correctly since I got audited back in 2021 (that was a nightmare I don't want to repeat). Anyone know what this 'Enclosed' notation actually means? I'm worried they're sending me something in the mail instead of just processing my refund.
14 comments

Lia Quinn
When you see 'Enclosed' on your transcript, it's usually similar to what happened with my cousin's tax return last year. The IRS is likely sending you a notice or letter in the mail explaining something about your return. In my cousin's case, they needed additional verification for his self-employment income before they could finish processing his refund. Have you checked your mail recently? It could be something simple like verification or something more complex like an adjustment to your reported income.
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Haley Stokes
I'm curious - did you perhaps also have a 971 code on your transcript? That would generally indicate a notice being sent, which might explain the 'Enclosed' notation you're seeing.
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Asher Levin
This happened to me last year. 'Enclosed' means exactly what it sounds like - they're sending you something in the mail. In my case it was a CP12 notice telling me they adjusted my refund amount. Don't panic. Just keep checking your mailbox. They sent my notice but still processed my refund a week later.
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Serene Snow
Did you check if there's a notice date listed on your transcript? Typically when "Enclosed" appears, there should be a corresponding date - often around March 18th or April 1st this year - that indicates when they issued the notice. This would help pinpoint when to expect it in your mailbox.
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Issac Nightingale
OMG I had the same thing on my transcript last month! Did u also have a 570 code? That's what mine had along with the 'enclosed' thing. IDK what it means exactly but I'm still waiting for my $$ too... Did u try calling the IRS? I tried but gave up after being on hold 4ever 😫
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Romeo Barrett
I've seen this before. It's usually a notice. Could be simple. Could be complex. I had the same issue. Used https://taxr.ai to help decode my transcript. It explained the codes. Showed what "enclosed" meant for me. Predicted my refund date correctly. The AI analyzed all my transcript codes. Gave me peace of mind. Saved me hours of research. Worth checking out.
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Marina Hendrix
I had the "Enclosed" notation on my transcript last year, and it turned out to be important. Here's what happened: 1. I ignored it at first, thinking my refund would just process normally 2. After 3 weeks with no movement, I checked my mail more carefully 3. Found a letter requesting verification of my identity 4. Had to create an ID.me account and verify myself 5. Only after completing that step did my refund start processing again Don't make my mistake - when your transcript says "Enclosed," it's telling you to watch for important mail that might require action on your part!
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Justin Trejo
Have you considered how much time you might waste trying to reach the IRS about this? Wouldn't it be better to get a clear answer directly from an agent? When I saw "Enclosed" on my transcript, I needed to speak with someone immediately. Used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in under 30 minutes. They explained exactly what notice was being sent and why. Isn't your time worth more than spending hours on hold? The IRS agent confirmed my notice was just a simple explanation of a math correction they made, and my refund was still being processed.
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Alana Willis
I need to get my refund ASAP to cover some unexpected car repairs! Is this Claimyr thing really worth it? I tried calling the IRS last week and gave up after an hour on hold. Back in 2022, I waited almost 3 hours only to have the call drop right when someone picked up. I'm desperate but skeptical about paying for something that should be free.
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Tyler Murphy
According to IRM 21.5.2.4.3, the "Enclosed" notation on a transcript indicates that the IRS has issued a notice or letter that accompanies the transcript information. Per Publication 5192, taxpayers should retain all IRS correspondence for at least three years from the filing date. The notation itself is not cause for concern, but the content of the notice is relevant to your tax situation and may require action within a specified timeframe, typically 30 days from the date of the notice.
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Sara Unger
I had the exact same situation last tax season as a gig worker. Here's what I learned: • "Enclosed" means they're sending you a notice in the mail • It took exactly 7 days for my notice to arrive after seeing this on my transcript • In my case, it was a CP11 notice adjusting my refund amount • They had questions about some of my business expenses • I responded with documentation within their timeframe • My refund was released 14 days after I responded My advice: check your mail daily and respond promptly to whatever they're sending you!
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Chloe Davis
Hey Jackie! I totally understand your anxiety about this - I've been in a similar boat as a rideshare driver myself. The "Enclosed" notation basically means the IRS is mailing you a letter or notice about your return. Since you mentioned being audited in 2021, they might just be doing extra verification on your self-employment income or mileage deductions - it's pretty common for gig workers like us. The good news is that this doesn't necessarily mean your refund is denied or delayed indefinitely. I'd suggest checking your mailbox every day for the next week or two, and when you get the notice, read it carefully to see what they need from you. Most of the time it's just documentation you can provide quickly. Hang in there!
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PaulineW
Hi Jackie! I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I had "Enclosed" show up on my transcript last year. As someone who also does gig work (I drive for Lyft part-time), I completely understand your concern, especially after going through an audit before. The "Enclosed" notation essentially means the IRS is sending you a physical letter or notice in the mail. In my case, it was a CP05 notice requesting additional verification of my identity before they could process my refund - pretty common for returns with self-employment income. The letter took about 7-10 business days to arrive after I first noticed it on my transcript. Since you mentioned being careful about tracking your mileage and expenses (which is smart!), you're likely in a good position if they're asking for documentation. The key thing is to respond quickly once you receive whatever they're sending. I was able to complete my identity verification online and my refund was released about 2 weeks later. Try not to stress too much - "Enclosed" doesn't mean your refund is denied, just that they need to send you information or request something from you. Keep checking your mail daily and you should have answers soon!
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Amina Bah
Thanks for sharing your experience with the CP05 notice, PaulineW! I'm new here too and this is really helpful to know. I'm curious - when you did the identity verification online, was it through the ID.me system that someone mentioned earlier, or did the IRS have their own verification process? I've heard mixed things about how long the ID.me verification can take, so I'm wondering if that might be what's coming for Jackie since gig workers seem to get flagged for identity verification more often. Also, did you have to provide any specific documents during the verification process beyond just answering questions?
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