Notice Type
A CP2000 notice means the IRS's records show income, deductions, or credits reported to them by employers, banks, or other payers that don't match what you reported on your return, and it proposes changes based on that mismatch. The notice shows the proposed changes and the resulting amount you'd owe or be refunded if you agree, and this type of notice often fits well within our standard $45 notice review, since it usually just requires understanding the mismatch and confirming whether the IRS's proposed changes are accurate.
Before You Respond
A CP2000 is a proposal, not a final bill, but it becomes final if it goes unanswered, so it's worth attention rather than being set aside. Check the response date printed on your actual notice — CP2000 notices state a specific date by which you need to agree, disagree, or provide more information, and that date is what determines your timeline, not a general rule of thumb. If no response is made by that date, the IRS generally proceeds with the proposed changes, and the resulting balance moves into standard collection. Responding by the date on your notice, even just to confirm or question the proposed change, keeps your options open.
Know Before You Act
Before agreeing to the proposed changes or assuming they're final, it helps to understand two things: what income, deduction, or credit the IRS says doesn't match, and whether that matches your own records of what you reported. The IRS may be correct. But the mismatch is sometimes based on incomplete information, and there can be income that was already reported elsewhere on the return, a document issued in error, a timing difference between tax years, or a form the IRS processed differently than expected. Knowing which of these applies to your situation is what determines whether the proposed change is something to accept or something worth looking into further.
CP2000 Questions
Start with a secure notice upload and a free IRS notice summary. If you want organized next steps, optional $45 Review & Guidance is a one-time purchase with no subscription. It may include an Action Plan, records to gather, response options, and case questions. When the information and supporting documents provided support a written IRS response, you can use the action steps provided to prepare it yourself or unlock the option for Think Twice Tax to draft a personalized response letter for you.