CP13: We Fixed a Math Error — Your Balance Is Zero

Why you might get this

• The IRS found one or more errors on your tax return and corrected them.
• After making the corrections, the changes didn't leave you owing money.
• The corrections also didn't result in a refund for you.
• The final result is that your account balance is zero — nothing to pay and nothing to receive.

The deadline

If you disagree with the changes, you need to contact the IRS by the date printed on your notice. If you contact them by that date, you keep your formal right to have the change reversed and your right to appeal to the U.S. Tax Court. If you miss that date, you lose those formal rights — though the IRS says it will still look at supporting documents you send later and may reverse the change if it agrees with you.

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

What to do

1. Read the notice carefully, especially the 'What we changed on your return' section, so you understand what was corrected.
2. If you agree with the changes, you don't need to respond — just update the copy of your return you keep for your records (do not mail it to the IRS).
3. If you disagree, call the IRS at the phone number shown on your notice before the date it lists.
4. When you call, you can explain your case verbally and, if needed, fax any missing or corrected forms while you're on the phone.
5. If you need to make a different correction of your own, file Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
6. If you use a tax preparer, ask them to correct their copy of your return too.

What happens if you ignore it

If you agree with the changes, nothing bad happens — you don't need to do anything. But if you disagree and don't contact the IRS by the date on your notice, you'll lose your formal right to have the change reversed and your right to appeal the decision to the U.S. Tax Court.

If the IRS doesn't receive information supporting your original return, it may forward your case for an audit. If that happens, the audit staff will contact you to explain the process and your rights. You can also get free help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service or a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic if you qualify.

What a CP13 notice means

A CP13 notice tells you the IRS changed something on your tax return. This often happens when there's a math error or a mistake in how a credit or figure was calculated. The important part: after the IRS made its corrections, everything evened out. You don't owe any extra money, you're not getting a refund, and your account balance is zero.

If you look over the changes and agree with them, you're done. There's nothing to pay and nothing to mail back. Just fix the copy of your return you keep at home so your records match what the IRS has.

If you disagree, call the phone number printed on your notice before the date it lists. The fastest way to sort out return errors is usually by phone, and you can fax any supporting documents while you're on the call. Acting by that date protects your right to have the change reversed and to appeal.

Notices like this are easy to set aside and forget. Solace can keep an eye on your IRS account so you always know where things stand.