CP75A: We're Auditing Your Return — Send Proof for Your EIC, Dependents, and Filing Status

Why you might get this

• You claimed the Earned Income Credit (EIC), a tax break for people with lower incomes, and the IRS wants proof you qualified.
• You claimed one or more dependents, and the IRS wants to confirm they qualify.
• The filing status you used (like head of household) needs to be verified.
• Your return was picked for a closer look — this can happen through random sampling, computer screening, or comparing your return to forms like W-2s and 1099s. It does not mean the IRS thinks you did anything wrong.

The deadline

Send your documents by the date printed on your notice. The enclosed forms explain what to send and how. Meeting this timing keeps the IRS from deciding your case without your side of the story.

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 and the enclosed forms carefully — a separate form is included for each item being audited, and each one lists the documents you need to send.
2. Gather copies (not originals) of the documents the IRS asks for to back up the items being reviewed.
3. Fill out the Response form, marking which documents cover which items.
4. Send your response and documents either by faxing them to the fax number on the notice, or by mailing them to the address shown on the Response form.
5. If you use an online fax service, check its privacy and security policies first to protect your information.
6. Consider reviewing everything with your tax preparer, and double-check that your child meets the relationship, age, residency, and joint return tests for the EIC.
7. Keep filing any required tax returns on time while the audit is going on to avoid extra penalties and interest.
8. If you did not file this return and think someone used your name and Social Security number, call the number on your notice and review the IRS identity theft page.

What happens if you ignore it

If you can't or don't send the requested documents, the IRS will disallow (deny) the items being audited and mail you an examination report showing the proposed changes to your return. That usually means a higher tax bill or a smaller refund.

You can authorize someone to contact the IRS for you. You may qualify for free help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, and if you can't resolve things on your own, you can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS. For questions, call the toll-free number in the top right corner of your notice.

What the CP75A notice means

Getting a CP75A notice means the IRS is auditing your tax return by mail. They need documents to verify the Earned Income Credit (EIC) — a tax break for people with lower incomes — along with the dependents and filing status you claimed.

Being selected for an audit doesn't mean you made a mistake or were dishonest. The IRS reviews some returns using random sampling, computer screening, and by comparing your return to forms like W-2s and 1099s.

What to do

Read your notice and the enclosed forms closely. There's a separate form for each item being reviewed, and each one lists exactly what proof to send. Fill out the Response form, mark which documents cover which items, and send everything by the date on your notice — either by fax or by mail to the address on the form.

If you can't send the documents, the IRS will deny those items and mail a report with proposed changes, which usually means a bigger bill or smaller refund. Keep filing any other returns on time.

Solace can watch your IRS account so you'll know if anything changes while your audit is under review.