What is a CP2501 notice?

Understanding your CP2501 notice

The IRS received income information that doesn’t match the information on your tax return. If you agree, sign and send this letter back. If you don’t agree, submit documentation and an explanation why your original return was correct.

Type of Notice

Request for information

Why you received the CP2501 notice

The income information received by the IRS doesn’t match what was reported on your tax return.

Likely next steps

As always, carefully read the notice, which will explain the new information that the IRS received.

If you believe the notice is correct, sign and date it and send it back. The IRS will send a CP2000 (or Letter 2030) with the amount of additional taxes, and any penalties and interest you owe.

If you don’t agree with the assessment, submit supporting documentation and an explanation to the IRS by the due date. The IRS will either accept your response and make no change to the original return or they will deny the full request. You will receive a CP2000 (or Letter 2030) with an explanation and any amount of taxes, penalties, and interest you may owe.

CP2501 Notice deadline

You have 30 days from the date of the notice to complete the form or contact the IRS either by phone or mail.

If you miss the deadline

If you do not make a payment or contact the IRS within 30 days, the IRS will send you another notice with information about your corrected tax return.

About the Author

Mark Steber is Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Officer for Jackson Hewitt. With over 30 years of experience, he oversees tax service delivery, quality assurance and tax law adherence. Mark is Jackson Hewitt’s national spokesperson and liaison to the Internal Revenue Service and other government authorities. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), holds registrations in Alabama and Georgia, and is an expert on consumer income taxes including electronic tax and tax data protection.

More about Mark Steber Our Editorial Policy