CP09: You May Qualify for the Earned Income Credit

Why you might get this

• The IRS reviewed your tax return and noticed you may be eligible for the Earned Income Credit (a tax break for people who work and earn a lower or moderate income).
• You did not claim this credit when you filed your return.
• The credit can give you a refund even if you don't owe any tax.

The deadline

This is good news, not a bill — the IRS is offering you a possible refund. To claim it, you need to fill out the worksheet and send it back by the date printed on your notice. If you respond online through the Documentation Upload Tool, do it within the time frame stated on your notice. Missing the response window means you may not get the credit for this year.

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 CP09 notice carefully to understand what the IRS is offering.
2. Fill out the Earned Income Credit worksheet on Form 15111 that came with your notice.
3. If the worksheet shows you qualify, sign it and mail it back in the envelope the IRS provided.
4. Or respond online by uploading your documents through the IRS Documentation Upload Tool, using the access code printed on your notice.
5. If the worksheet shows you don't qualify, don't send anything back.
6. If you don't hear from the IRS in about 8 weeks, call the toll-free number on your notice to check on your refund status.

What happens if you ignore it

Nothing bad happens to you — this notice isn't a bill and you won't be penalized. But if you ignore it, you'll likely miss out on a refund you may be owed. If you qualify and respond, the IRS says it will mail a refund check in about 6–8 weeks, as long as you don't owe other debts they must collect.

Most people can handle a CP09 on their own by filling out and returning the worksheet. If you're unsure whether you qualify, a tax professional can help. You may also be eligible for free help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service or a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.

A CP09 notice is one of the friendlier letters the IRS sends. It means the IRS looked at your return and believes you may qualify for the Earned Income Credit — a tax break for people who work and earn a lower or moderate income. The best part? This credit can put money back in your pocket, sometimes as a refund even if you don't owe any tax.

To find out if you qualify, fill out the Earned Income Credit worksheet on Form 15111, which comes with your notice. If the worksheet confirms you're eligible, sign it and mail it back in the envelope the IRS gave you, or upload your documents online using the access code on your notice. If you don't qualify, you don't need to send anything back.

Once the IRS confirms you're eligible, it says it will mail your refund check in about 6 to 8 weeks — as long as you don't owe other debts it's required to collect. If you haven't heard back after 8 weeks, you can call the number on your notice.

Solace can keep an eye on your IRS account so you know when your refund is on its way and can catch any updates early.