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.
17 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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Amaya Watson
I'm a newer member here but went through something similar last year. The "Enclosed" notation on your transcript definitely means they're sending you mail - in my case it was a CP12 notice about a small adjustment they made to my return (they corrected a math error I made). The notice arrived about 10 days after I saw it on my transcript. Since you mentioned you drive for Uber and do delivery work, they might just be verifying some of your business deductions or mileage - it's pretty routine for gig workers. The important thing is to respond quickly once you get the notice. In my experience, even though they sent the notice, my refund still processed normally once I provided the info they requested. Keep checking your mail and try not to stress too much about it!
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Isabella Oliveira
•Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm new here too and this is really helpful. Did you have to provide any specific documentation when you responded to your CP12 notice? I'm wondering what kind of records I should have ready just in case they ask for verification of my gig work expenses or mileage logs.
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Amara Chukwu
Hi Jackie! I'm fairly new to this community but wanted to share what happened when I saw "Enclosed" on my transcript earlier this year. Like you, I'm a gig worker (DoorDash and Instacart) and was really stressed when I first saw that notation. It turned out the IRS was sending me a letter asking for verification of some of my vehicle expenses - nothing scary, just routine verification since self-employment income often gets flagged for review. The letter took about 8-10 days to arrive after I first saw "Enclosed" on my transcript. I had to send them copies of my mileage log and some receipts for car maintenance, which I fortunately kept organized after hearing horror stories like your 2021 audit experience. Once I mailed back the requested documents, my refund was processed within 3 weeks. The key is to respond promptly once you get their letter - they usually give you 30 days but the sooner you respond, the faster they can finish processing your return. Definitely keep checking your mailbox daily!
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Dmitry Petrov
•Thanks for sharing your experience, Amara! This is really reassuring to hear from another gig worker. I'm curious - when you sent your documentation to the IRS, did you send it via regular mail or did you use certified mail? I've heard mixed advice about whether it's worth paying extra for certified mail to make sure they receive your response, especially since you mentioned responding promptly is so important.
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NebulaKnight
Hey Jackie! I'm relatively new to this community but wanted to chime in since I just went through this exact situation a few months ago. The "Enclosed" notation on your transcript means the IRS is definitely mailing you something - in my case, it was a CP2000 notice questioning some of my 1099 income from my freelance work. I totally get your anxiety about this, especially given your 2021 audit experience! What I learned is that "Enclosed" doesn't automatically mean bad news - it could be anything from a simple math correction to requesting additional documentation for your Uber/delivery expenses. The notice took about 10 business days to arrive after I first saw it on my transcript. Since you mentioned tracking your mileage and expenses carefully, you're probably in good shape if they do ask for verification. My advice: check your mail religiously for the next two weeks, and when the notice arrives, read it thoroughly before panicking. Most of these issues can be resolved pretty quickly if you have your documentation ready. Fingers crossed it's something simple and your refund gets processed soon!
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