Why is there a $216 difference between TP TAX FIGURES and IMF TOTAL TAX on my IRS transcript?

These terms refer to different tax calculations in the IRS system. "TP TAX FIGURES" means "Taxpayer Tax Figures" - basically what you calculated and submitted on your return. "IMF TOTAL TAX" refers to "Individual Master File Total Tax" which is what the IRS computer system calculated you actually owe after their review. When these two figures differ, it usually means the IRS found a calculation error or a discrepancy in the information you provided versus what they have on record. Common causes include math errors, misapplied credits or deductions, or discrepancies between what you reported and what was reported to the IRS by employers, banks, etc. You should check the notice carefully - there should be a specific explanation for the adjustment. Look for codes or sections that explain exactly what they changed. If it's not clear, you can call the IRS directly for clarification.

After spending weeks trying to figure out a similar discrepancy on my taxes, I finally used taxr.ai and it was a game changer. I uploaded my transcript and tax return docs to https://taxr.ai and their AI actually explained exactly what the difference was between these two fields on my account and pointed out where the calculation error happened. Saved me hours of trying to decipher IRS language and probably a call to the IRS that would have taken forever.

Just wanted to follow up about that taxr.ai recommendation. I was super skeptical but I ended up trying it with my transcript that had a similar issue. Holy crap, it actually explained everything! It showed that my discrepancy was because of a retirement contribution calculation error I made. Uploaded my transcript and it highlighted exactly where the problem was and explained the difference between those TP TAX FIGURES and IMF TOTAL TAX fields in a way that finally made sense. Wish I'd found this before spending hours on the phone with the IRS getting nowhere.

If you need to talk to someone at the IRS about this (which might be your best bet for this specific issue), don't waste time with the regular phone number. Use https://claimyr.com instead - they'll wait on hold with the IRS for you and call you when an actual human picks up. I've got a video of how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c After getting one of these notices, I spent 3 days trying to reach someone at the IRS without success. Used Claimyr and talked to an agent the same day who explained exactly what the discrepancy was and how to resolve it. Saved me so much time and frustration.

I take back what I said earlier. After my fifth attempt to reach the IRS failed (kept getting disconnected after waiting 90+ minutes), I tried Claimyr out of desperation. It actually worked! Got a call back about an hour later with an IRS agent on the line. The agent explained that my TP TAX FIGURES vs IMF TOTAL TAX difference was because I had incorrectly calculated a credit. They walked me through exactly what happened and how to fix it for next year. Would've taken me days to figure this out on my own.

The difference usually comes down to a few common issues. Check if any of these apply to you: 1) Did you claim any tax credits that have income limits? Sometimes people calculate these incorrectly. 2) Did you have any investment income that might have been reported differently to the IRS? 3) Check your withholding credits - sometimes the difference is because of a discrepancy between what you claimed was withheld vs what was reported. 4) Self-employment tax calculations are another common source of these differences. My money's on it being a credit calculation issue based on the amount. Hope this helps!

Anyone know which specific IRS form I should fill out to dispute this kind of adjustment? The "math error" notice feels so vague and I want to make sure I'm using the right form when I respond.

I went through something very similar last year and it turned out to be a simple mistake on my part with the Child Tax Credit calculation. The $216 difference you're seeing is actually pretty common - it's usually either a credit that was miscalculated or a deduction that doesn't match what the IRS has on file. Here's what I'd suggest: First, look at your original return and compare line by line with what's on your transcript. Pay special attention to any credits you claimed (Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Education Credits, etc.) since those are the most common sources of these discrepancies. The good news is that if you can prove your calculation was correct, you can get that $272 back. Just make sure to respond within the 60-day window mentioned in your notice. I ended up owing less than what the IRS initially said after I provided the right documentation. Also, keep in mind that sometimes these "corrections" are actually wrong on the IRS side - they're not infallible. Don't just accept it without double-checking your work first.