irs cp2000
Written by BooksMerge | Published: February 27, 2026
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  • The taxpayers will receive a notice from the IRS when the income or payment doesn’t match the one filed on the tax return.
  • CP2000 isn’t an audit, but it is similar to them. But it is necessary to respond to the notice sent by the IRS.
  • The businesses or individuals must respond to the IRS notice within 30 days. Otherwise, you may face penalties or a late fee.
  • Ignorance of the CP2000 notice may force the IRS to send a Notice of Deficiency (90-day letter).
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AN IRS CP2000 notice is basically a letter that is provided by the IRS to businesses or individuals informing them that the income, payments reported on the tax return, do not match those that the IRS received. It is not an audit, but it’s a proposed change to your tax return, which may result in additional tax, penalties, or interest.

Are you worried about getting an IRS CP2000 notice and don’t know what to do? If yes, you aren’t alone in this situation. It is basically a notice that is provided by the IRS when the income or payment you paid doesn’t match the one listed on the filed return. So, all you require is to respond to that notice, whether you agree or not, along with the supporting documentation. But if you ignore it, then you will receive a Notice of Deficiency from the IRS.

Read this entire post, and let’s learn more about what the IRS CP2000 notice is, how to respond, how to pay online, and the deadline for filing it.

What Does IRS CP2000 Mean?

The IRS CP2000 is a notice that is received if the payment or information we get from third parties, like employers or banks, does not match the information reported on your tax return. Moreover, this notice describes proposed changes to your tax return and information required to identify it. It doesn’t count as a bill, and your response to the notice is mandatory.

What You Need to Do If You Get an IRS CP2000 Notice?

You must thoroughly review the IRS CP2000 notice and follow these instructions to fix the issues.

  • If a response form is included in your notice, you must complete and then sign it. Also, you have to state whether you agree or disagree with the notice and attach any supporting documentation.
  • If your notice doesn’t have a response form, do as per the instructions given in the notice.
  • If you agree with the notice and don’t have other income, credits, or expenses to report, thoroughly review the notice instructions. You don’t have to amend your return.

Note: If you don’t give any reply to the IRS CP2000 notice or your issues aren’t resolved, then the IRS will send you another notice and a bill.

How to Respond to IRS CP2000?

Following are the two different ways to respond to IRS CP2000.

• If You Agree
Suppose you agree with the IRS CP2000 notice, complete, sign, and date the Response form (make sure that it’s signed by both spouses if married and filed jointly). Then, you can file the return via the IRS Document Upload Tool. Otherwise, you can also mail or fax the form to the location or address provided on the IRS notice by its due date.

This notice mainly consists of the interest that is calculated from the due date of return till 30 days from the date on the notice. It also applies some penalties that aren’t shown on the notice. The interest will continue unless the due amount is paid in full.

If the proposed amount is paid within 30 days, it will not impose any additional interest, and there will be no penalties. In that case, you can either pay the proposed amount online now or you can wait for the IRS to adjust your account and send you a bill.

If you wait, interest will accrue till the amount is paid in full. Whereas, for an instalment agreement, or to pay online, you must still complete, sign, and date the Response form. Then, you can file the return.

• If You Don’t Agree
If you don’t agree with the IRS CP200 notice with some or all of the proposed changes, select the relevant box on the Response form. Then, send the reply to the IRS with the signed statement mentioning the reason for your disagreement. Also, attach supporting documentation and then return the response form with supporting documents using the IRS Document Upload Tool. Otherwise, you can fax or mail the notice by its due date.

If your CP2000 notice is right and you are having other income, credit, or other expenses to report, fill out the amended return 1040-X for the tax year shown on page one of your notice. You have to write “CP2000” at the top of Form 1040-X and return the response form along with the supporting documentation using the IRS Documentation Upload tool, mail, or fax it.

After getting the response from the IRS, they will make the necessary corrections for you. In case the same error repeats in another tax year, file an amended return for that year to avoid or minimize accrual penalties.

How to Run & Use the IRS Document Upload Tool?

You can use the IRS Document Upload tool, which is one of the most convenient and fastest ways for sending the reply for IRS CP2000, digitally and safely. You can access this tool to:

  • upload the photos or scan them into a JPG, PNG, or PDF file format.
  • Get the confirmation that we received your documents.

Important Note: You can upload documents via this tool to respond to an IRS notice. But, avoid submitting tax returns via this tool, as it can’t be processed by the IRS.

Things You Require to Use this Tool

  • A valid access code (if provided), the notice or letter number, or tile.
  • First & Last name or business name on the notice or letter.
  • Social Security, individual taxpayer identification, or employer identification number.

If you won’t have an access code:

You can provide the notice or letter number. Then, you can opt for the wrong notice or letter by clicking the drop-down menu, which may cause further delays.

Cross-Verify if it’s IRS: 

If you get an IRS CP2000 notice along with a link, you must cross-verify it. Make sure that the link includes “https” and “irs.gov”.

How to Fax Your Notice?

You can fax your response to the location provided at the top left side of the notice:

Andover, MA

 877-477-9485

Atlanta, GA

877-477-0967

Austin, TY

877-477-0583

Holtsville, NY

877-477-9599

Fresno, CA

877-477-0962

Ogden, UT

877-477-9640

Philadelphia, PA

877-477-9602

Safeguard your information: If you are accessing an online fax service, you first have to review its privacy and security policies.

Where to mail a response to the IRS Notice CP2000?

If you are thinking where to mail the IRS notice CP2000, then go to the top left corner of the first page of the notice, and then send the mail to the given address.

IRS CP2000 deadline

You have to respond within 30 days of the date of the notice or 60 days if you stay out of the U.S. for an immediate solution. Return your Response form and any other important document via the IRS Document Upload Tool, fax, or mail.

In case you lost the envelope, or it isn’t enclosed, then send your response to the address mentioned on the first page of the Response form, or send via the Document Upload tool. Otherwise, you can fax it to the number written at the top of the notice.

If the IRS doesn’t get a response by the due date on the notice, it will send you a Statutory Notice of Deficiency.

How to Pay IRS CP2000 Online?

You can pay IRS CP2000 online using different payment methods.

1. IRS Direct Deposit Pay (Free, from your bank account)

  • Initially, visit the https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay.
  • Choose the following options on the form.
    • Reason for payment- Example CP2000
    • Apply Payment to Form 1040 (Individual Income Tax)
    • Tax Year- The year mentioned on your CP2000 notice.
  • Provide your personal details.
    • name
    • SSN
    • address
    • bank routing/account number
  • Thereon, you will receive an instant confirmation and receipt that you can save or print.

You don’t have to pay any charges for paying via Direct Pay.

2. Other Online Options

2.1 Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

You can use this option only if you already have an account.

  • Enrollment is mandatory to access the EFTPS option.
  • You can make payments from your bank account.
  • Make the tax deposits, pay estimated taxes, offer in Compromise (OIC), or other types of payments.

2.2 Debit Card, Credit Card, or Digital Wallet

To pay via debit card or credit card, individuals and businesses need to pay the processing fee. But it doesn’t apply to the payroll taxes.

2.3 Same-Day Wire

Bank fees are applied.

2.4 Check or money order

You can pay via U.S. mail.

2.5 Cash

Through a retail partner and using other methods.

2.6 Electronic Fund Withdrawal

During the e-filing of the tax return only.

How to Make an IRS CP2000 Payment Via Mail?

You can also make the IRS CP2000 payment via mail. For that, let’s look at the following table.

If your notice came from

Send Your Payment to:

Austin, TX

Internal Revenue Service Center

Austin, TX 73301-0010

Andover, MA

Atlanta, GA

Philadelphia, PA

Internal Revenue Service Center

Kansas City, MO 64999-0206

Fresno, CA

Ogden, UT

Internal Revenue Service Center

Ogden, UT 84201-0010

Holtsville, NY

Internal Revenue Service Center

PO Box 145577

Cincinnati, OH 45250-5577

What if I can’t pay what you owe?

If you aren’t able to pay what you owe, then you have two different options:

Option 1: Apply for a payment plan

The businesses and individuals can apply to pay their balance over time with a payment plan (instalment agreement). You can make either the short-term payment plans up to 180 days or a long-term payment plan.

Option 2: Offer in Compromise

You can also offer a compromise in which you can settle your tax debt for less than what you owe. But to qualify for this option, you have to meet certain circumstances.

  • Ability to pay
  • Income
  • Expenses
  • Asset equity

What are the different IRS CP2000 Series?

The IRS CP2000 notice series comprises of CP2000A, CP2000B, CP2000C, CP2000D, and CP2000E. Let’s learn more about these series in detail.

1. IRS Notice CP2000 C

It is basically a proposed change notice that the IRS sends if the income, credits, or payments you report on your tax return don’t match the details received from employers, banks, or other third parties. You will receive an IRS Notice CP2000 C if;

  • You left income off your return
  • You reported income inappropriately
  • IRS has received different information

2. IRS Notice CP2000 E

It’s also similar to the IRS Notice CP2000. But you may receive a CP2000 E notice,

  • Missing 1099 income (including 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-K, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, etc)
  • Retirement Distributions (1099-R)
  • Unreported stock sales (1099-B)
  • Differences in reported withholding
  • A payer reporting wrong information

3. IRS Notice CP2000 B

The IRS Notice CP2000 B is similar to the CP2000 B notice. You may get this notice:

  • Missing 1099 income including 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-K, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, etc
  • Inappropriate withholding amounts
  • Unreported unemployment income
  • Stock sales reported on 1099-B
  • Retirement Distributions (1099-R)

Is CP2000 an audit?

No, the IRS CP2000 is not an audit, but it’s an automated underreporter notice. To understand how it’s different from an audit, have a look at the table below.

CP2000

Audit

Automated notice

Formal examination

Based on income mismatch

Can examine many areas of your return

It is handled by mail

It may include meetings or a detailed document review.

You respond by agreeing or explaining

IRS examiner runs an investigation

How to Amend Your IRS CP2000 Return?

If your CP2000 notice is accurate and you also have either income, credits, or expenses to report;

  • You must complete the Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return)
  • After this, type “CP2000” at the top of Form 1040-X
  • Select a reply option according to your preference and then submit the form along with the notice response form.

Booksmerge Insight Section
If you get an IRS CP2000 notice from the IRS, BooksMerge helps reconcile income records, identify discrepancies, and organize supporting documents. Moreover, they also ensure accurate bookkeeping and reporting support so that you can respond confidently and correct errors quickly. This will reduce the risk of future mismatches or penalties.

Conclusion

IRSCP2000 is a form issued by the IRS when the income received from the banks or employers is not the same as reported on the tax return. So, it’s essential to respond to the notice as soon as possible to prevent the late penalties or charges. We hope that using this guide, you have understood this notice thoroughly and know how to reply to it.
Furthermore, if you still require any additional help, then connect with our Booksmerge professionals or call on +1-866-513-4656. They will provide you with the best possible assistance within the shortest possible time.

FAQ's

The IRS CP2000 notice provides;
• Amount reported on your original or processed amended return
• amounts reported to the IRS by the payer
• A response form, an envelope, and a list of payment methods
• proposed changes to your income, tax, credits, and/or payments
• Payer’s name, ID number. Type of document issued, and the taxpayer identification number of the person to whom the document is issued

If you ignore the CP2000 notice and don’t respond, you will get a notice of Deficiency and will be charged a penalty in addition to any additional taxes or interest you owe.

Yes, according to the research, one out of every three CP2000 notices sent by the IRS is wrong and doesn’t owe by the taxpayer. But, to represent that you won’t owe, it’s essential to respond to the IRS.

If you are a taxpayer who paid the full payment and on time, either electronically or via check, but still get a CP2000 notice, then you have to respond to the IRS immediately. After this, the IRS will review and then provide an update asap.

The IRS will take around 30 days to respond to the CP2000 notice. If you owe a balance, then you must use the IRS instructions for making the payment.

To check the status of your CP2000, you can directly contact the IRS. You will get their contact number at the top-right corner of the letter.

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