CP22A: We Changed Your Tax Return and You Owe Money

Why you might get this

• The IRS made changes to a tax return you already filed.
• Those changes created a balance due — money you now owe.
• The changes may have come from a correction you asked for or an adjustment the IRS made to your account.

The deadline

Your notice has a specific due date printed on it. If you agree with the changes, pay by that date to avoid extra interest and a late payment penalty. Interest keeps adding up until you pay the full amount, and a late payment penalty applies if you don't pay on time. If something outside your control kept you from paying and you contact the IRS by the due date, they may be able to remove the penalty.

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 and compare the changes to your own copy of your tax return.
2. If you agree, pay the amount you owe by the date printed on your notice — paying online helps make sure your payment arrives on time.
3. If you can't pay in full, look into a payment plan, a temporary delay in collection, or an Offer in Compromise (a deal to settle for less than you owe).
4. If you disagree with the changes, call the phone number printed on your notice.
5. Update your own copy of your tax return so your records match.
6. If you need to make another correction, file Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return).
7. Sign in to your IRS Online Account to view and download the notice and manage how you get IRS messages.

What happens if you ignore it

If you don't pay or respond, interest will keep growing on what you owe and a late payment penalty will apply. The unpaid balance can lead to further IRS collection efforts.

If you've contacted the IRS several times and still can't get answers, you can reach the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). You may also qualify for free help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. If you think you're a victim of identity theft, call the number on your notice and see the IRS Identity Theft Central page.

What a CP22A Notice Means

The IRS sends a CP22A notice when it makes changes to a tax return you already filed, and those changes mean you now owe money. The notice shows the new balance and a due date for paying it.

Start by reading the notice carefully and comparing the changes to your own copy of your return. If the changes look right, pay the amount owed by the date printed on your notice. Paying online is the fastest way to make sure your payment arrives on time.

If you can't pay the full amount at once, you have options. You can ask for a payment plan (paying over time), a temporary pause on collection, or an Offer in Compromise (settling for less than the full amount). Keep in mind that interest keeps adding up, and a late payment penalty applies until you pay in full.

If you don't agree with the changes, call the phone number printed on your notice before the due date.

Solace can watch your IRS account and let you know if this balance changes or a new notice shows up, so nothing slips past you.