What is a carryback claim?

[ee-ea]

A carryback is the application of a tax loss to prior years in which taxable income was earned. The concept is used to earn an immediate tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service, thereby recovering taxes paid in prior years. In essence, application of the carryback has the same effect as though the taxpayer had overpaid taxes in prior years.

[leighjohnsonnd19]

I just got a tax bill dated 8/2023 that states "based on the tentative carryback application or carryback claim you filed" for 2020 Form 1040.  I have no knowledge of filing any such claim.  I have not had an operating loss since opening my business in 2016, and I have paid all taxes due through 2022.  There is not a loss reflected on my tax returns and I have not filed an amended tax return.  When I log in to my IRS account there are no records or documentation other than a balance that has been added for 2020.  Any thoughts?  I haven't tried to call the IRS yet, but I'm not hopeful I'll get to speak to a real person.

[NCperson]

it is now much easier to get to a live person at the IRS.   Best to call early in the East Coast day or late in the West Coast day

follow the direction in this link

https://support.taxslayerpro.com/hc/en-us/articles/1260807635769-How-to-speak-directly-to-an-IRS-rep...

[fanfare]

@barncharts 

There are various posts recently from filers who got the same letter you did.

They all believe the IRS is in error.

You have to dispute an IRS finding in writing. The letter should tell you how to do it

[leighjohnsonnd19]

Thanks for the replies.  I did manage to get someone on the phone with the IRS (took about 2 hours to get to the right person).  It wasn't about a carryback claim (as per the notice I received).  It was about a deferred self-employment tax amount from 2020 (part of Covid relief).  I had paid half of it in 2021, but the IRS marked my tax year 2020 as paid in full and never sent another bill for the remaining half.  Admittedly, I didn't notice that I never paid for the second half. So, I did owe this amount that their computer systems discovered, but the notice that they sent was totally wrong about why I still owed them money. 😑