CP05A: Send documents to verify your income and withholding

Why you might get this

• The IRS picked your return for review to check that your income and withholding (the tax already taken out of your pay) match what you reported.
• They need more paperwork to confirm those numbers before they send your refund.
• Being chosen doesn't mean you made a mistake or did anything wrong \u2014 some returns are simply selected for a closer look.

The deadline

Reply by the date printed on your notice. Sending your documents by that date keeps your case moving and helps the IRS finish reviewing your return so they can release your refund.

This notice doesn't carry a fixed response deadline, but it still deserves attention — see what to do below.

What to do

1. Read your notice carefully so you know exactly which documents to send.
2. Gather proof of your income and withholding: at least 3 pay stubs (including your end-of-year stub), OR a letter on your employer's letterhead with their name, address, phone, and fax, OR a statement of benefits for retirement income.
3. Make sure your documents show the date you earned the wages, the gross (total) income you received, and the federal tax withheld for the year on the notice.
4. Do not send a copy of your Form W-2.
5. Include a copy of your notice with whatever you send.
6. Reply the fastest way \u2014 the IRS Document Upload Tool (scan the QR code on your notice or use the online link). You can also fax the documents to the number on your notice or mail them to the address shown.
7. If you didn't file this return, it may be identity theft \u2014 fill out Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, and mail it to the address on your notice.
8. After you reply, allow about 60 days for the IRS to finish its review before contacting them.

What happens if you ignore it

If you don't send the documents, the IRS can't verify your numbers, so your refund stays on hold and could be reduced or denied. Responding on time is the only way to keep your refund moving.

If waiting for your refund is causing real financial hardship, or you can't get the review resolved, you can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) at 877-777-4778 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). You may also qualify for free help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, or you can have your tax preparer review the notice with you.

What a CP05A notice means

If you got a CP05A notice, the IRS is reviewing your tax return and holding your refund until you prove the income and withholding you reported. "Withholding" is the federal tax your employer already took out of your paychecks. This review is routine \u2014 it doesn't mean you did anything wrong.

To clear things up, you'll need to send supporting documents by the date printed on your notice. Good proof includes at least three pay stubs (with your end-of-year stub), a letter on your employer's letterhead, or a statement of your retirement benefits. Your papers should show when you earned the money, how much you earned, and how much federal tax was withheld. Skip the W-2 \u2014 the IRS asks you not to send it \u2014 but do include a copy of your notice.

The quickest way to reply is the IRS Document Upload Tool; you can also fax or mail your response. After you send everything, give the IRS about 60 days to finish.

Once you've replied, it's easy to lose track of where things stand. Solace can keep an eye on your IRS account and let you know when your refund status changes.