Do not agree with the amount the IRS says I owe in the letter they sent but cannot get in touch with them to discuss

[tonybeo]

I got a letter from the IRS stating that I owe more money than what I paid with my return.  I do not agree with what they have determined.  It says that it is due on 4/18/22.  It also says that if I do not agree, I should call them, but I have tried calling the number they provided multiple times and have not gotten anyone on the line.

Since it is so close to the due date, I am not sure if I need to pay it and then try to get them to refund the money later or if I should not pay and try to get them on the phone after the tax deadline when they may not be as busy.  But if I do the later, I am concerned that I will get penalties added.

Thanks for any advice with this matter.

[jtax]

It's a tough judgement call. If you wait you won't get penalties and interest if you are right and they eventually agree. But if you're wrong or they don't agree you will at least be paying interest and maybe a penalty.

It is safer to pay and then deal. It is very very very hard to get hold of the IRS these days. Written correspondence also takes forever. 

In any case, I would expect that if could take months to resolve and could easily be a year+. I know that's pessimistic, but that's been my experience recently with anything that is not automated.

[tonybeo]

Thanks.  But if I pay, am I agreeing to their findings and then am I no longer eligible to dispute their findings? 

[Mike9241]

For many notices, the IRS will grant an extension of time to respond. However, if you receive a Notice of Deficiency (90-day letter), you must file in Tax Court within 90 days, and this date cannot be extended. Most other notices are less strict, but whenever you ask for an extension, confirm it in writing.

If you don’t respond to a Notice of Deficiency within 90 days, and you have an assessment, all is not lost. You won’t be able to go to Tax Court, but you can contest the taxes in federal district court or the U.S. Claims Court. Generally, you must pay the taxes first and file a claim for refund. If the refund request is not granted,  you can sue for a refund. Sometimes you are required to pay only a portion of the liability, but you can still get into court.

Remember, there are many, many different types of tax notices, including liens, levies and summonses. Forms of response vary and procedure is important.

obviously going to court can get very expensive.

don't know what the response date is but you may want to consider hiring a pro or

The Audit Defense service is provided by TaxResources, Inc., also called TaxAudit.com, in partnership with TurboTax. If you paid for Audit Defense and you received an IRS notice, call TaxResources, Inc. at 877-829-9695, or report your IRS notice on their website at http://intuit.taxaudit.com/. Do not contact the IRS until you have spoken to TaxResources. They may contact the IRS on your behalf.

[jtax]

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@tonybeo wrote:

Thanks.  But if I pay, am I agreeing to their findings and then am I no longer eligible to dispute their findings? 

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No. You are not agreeing to their findings. Not for a typical automated math or data entry error. Not at all. In fact you can even just pay online at https://www.irs.gov/payments 

[Edit, you could just mark it as an payment on 1040 or even 1040-ES. It will basically be added to your account and if its the right amount it will stop their automated request for more payment.] As @Mike9241  says if you receive something other than a simple notice of math/data error that is a different matter. A Statutory Notice of Deficiency or a CP540 Notice of Intent to Levy (seize) are very different and should be dealt with promptly, ideally with professional help.]

You generally have 3 years from your filing date or 2 years from a payment or tax assessment (which is later) to file a request for a refund. It does not need to be resolved by then but you need to have started the process. (Amended return, letter, etc.)

[fanfare]

If you want to dispute respond in writing now saying "I/We dispute".

Give your reasons

Send to the address mentioned in your letter from the IRS.

IRS is way behind in processing paper correspondence.