IRS Notice & Filing Compliance
Understand the notice. Define the next step.
MFS helps individuals and business owners understand IRS notices, review filing issues and address outstanding tax returns. We identify what the correspondence requests and define the appropriate response or filing work around your circumstances.
Help understanding an IRS notice or letter
The first task is to read the correspondence carefully. MFS reviews the notice type, tax period, issue described, requested action and any stated response date. The IRS publishes general guidance on understanding notices and letters; professional review then compares that correspondence with your returns and records. Not every notice means additional tax is due, and not every notice requires an amended return.
IRS notice response support
Response work is scoped after the notice and available records have been reviewed. The list below describes support that may be included.
Compare the notice with filed returns
Identify the period, the issue and whether the correspondence matches the return that was filed.
Identify requested information
Determine what the IRS is asking for and which documents are needed to answer.
Explain discrepancies or questions
Walk through what the notice appears to mean in light of the records, without assuming an outcome.
Prepare a response where included
Draft or assemble the response work that the engagement covers.
Track relevant correspondence
Keep the notice, response and follow-up items organized for the periods in scope.
Outstanding filings and filing discrepancies
Some engagements are about a single notice. Others include unfiled returns or a review of whether a correction is appropriate. Those are distinct tasks and are confirmed in scope.
Outstanding and unfiled tax returns
Collect records, identify missing periods and prepare the agreed outstanding returns. Filing still requires your authorization.
Correcting filing discrepancies
Review whether a correction or other filing response is appropriate. An amended return is not automatic after every notice.
Professional representation where appropriate
Justin Boodram is an IRS Enrolled Agent. Representation before the IRS requires the appropriate authorization forms and an agreed engagement. MFS does not automatically advertise litigation, settlements, offers in compromise or guaranteed penalty removal.
What to provide for an initial review
Send the complete notice, including all pages, along with relevant filed returns, supporting documents and any prior related correspondence. Do not send tax returns, identification or bank records through the public contact form. Use the secure Client Portal for sensitive documents.
MFS works with clients across professional services, real estate, maritime, aviation and other businesses. Notice and filing work follows the correspondence and the records, not an industry script.
How the engagement works
Scope is defined after the correspondence and records are reviewed. Not every notice leads to the same sequence of work.
- Review correspondence
Read the notice or letter and identify the period, issue and requested action.
- Confirm records and issues
Compare the correspondence with returns and supporting documents.
- Define scope
Agree whether the work is explanation, a written response, outstanding returns, or a combination.
- Prepare the response or filings
Complete the work included in the engagement.
- Follow up as agreed
Monitor further correspondence only where the engagement provides for it.