Even if they do not have an IRS online account, taxpayers who receive these notices can securely respond to the IRS online.
Taxpayers who receive certain IRS notices and are required to send information to the agency can now submit that documentation online via IRS.gov.
By using this new option, which the IRS announced on February 16, tax professionals or their clients can submit documents to the IRS electronically rather than by mail, saving time and effort when dealing with tax problems.
Moreover, Acting Commissioner Doug O’Donnell emphasized that this capability enhances service and aids taxpayers, marking a significant step forward. Additionally, this provides taxpayers with immediate benefits, as they receive nearly instant confirmation that the IRS received their documents. As a result, by eliminating a time-consuming step in the process, issues will be resolving much more quickly. This means that people can have their issues resolved much more quickly, including receiving refunds from affected taxpayers. Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last year, the IRS will continue to look into improvements like this.
This feature will include nine notices, which could benefit more than 500,000 taxpayers each year. This includes military personnel in combat zones and recipients of essential credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
Taxpayers can upload records if they receive one of the following notices containing the link and access code.
- CP04, which deals with combat zone status.
- CP05A, information request for a refund.
- CP06 and CP06A, deal with the Premium Tax Credit.
- CP08, regarding the CTC.
- CP09, which is about claiming the EITC.
- CP75, pertaining to the EITC.
- CP75a, pertaining to the EITC.
- CP75d, which deals with the EITC and other credits.
No matter if they have an account with the IRS online, taxpayers who receive these notices can securely respond to the IRS online.
In 2021, IRS IT professionals created a working prototype of the Documentation Upload Tool. Since then, the IRS has been testing this feature on a small sample of exam-related notices, and 38% of responses to these notices have been made via secure electronic communications as oppose to conventional mail.
The taxpayer must utilize the Documentation Upload Tool to submit their documents within 30 days from the notice date. It contains the link as well as a one-time access code.
- Using any browser, the taxpayer can open the link and provide their unique code, name, and identification number.
- The taxpayer can securely upload document scans, photos, or digital copies (up to 15 MB per file, maximum 40 files).
- The taxpayer receives notification from the IRS confirming document receipt, and the assigned agent can handle the submitted files.
Information on this topic can be found in Fact Sheet 2023-05, IRS expands secure digital correspondence for taxpayers.
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