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Home > Notices > Taxpayer Requests Refund
Published:   |   Last Updated: October 24, 2024

Taxpayer Requests Refund

Letter 3180-C, Letter 3181-C, Letter 4722, Letter 3783, Letter 3784.

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Overview

Taxpayer pays balance in full on their tax account as requested by the IRS per letters or notices received. Taxpayer requests refund or abatement for interest, penalties, overpaid tax and/or additional tax.

I need more information

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What does this mean to me?

You have requested the IRS to refund or abate interest, penalties, overpaid tax and/or additional tax and they have accepted your request or have not. If the IRS has accepted your request, your tax account will be adjusted accordingly and a refund will be issued, if applicable. If the IRS has not accepted your request, then you have the right to either go to the IRS Independent Office of Appeals or request a review of your denial in the U.S. Tax Court. Make sure to review your notice or letter closely to determine your options, steps to complete, and when your response is timely required.

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How did I get here?

You reviewed your notice or letter showing you have a balance due and you believed there was an error. You requested the IRS refund or abate the interest, penalties, overpaid tax and/or additional tax which you believe were incorrect. For more information, see Taxpayers have the right to pay no more than what they owe on IRS.gov.

You also may have paid the balance on the notice in full that was sent to you. You believe you have overpaid your taxes and filed a claim for refund asking for the money back per Publication 556, Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights, and Claims for Refund, Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement; or you sent a signed statement to the IRS explaining why you believe you should receive a refund or abatement of interest, penalties, over paid tax and/or additional tax.

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What are my next steps?

Review your notice or letter closely to find out if the IRS agreed with your request to refund or abate interest, penalties, overpaid tax and or additional tax.

If the IRS has accepted your request, your tax account will be adjusted accordingly, and a refund will be issued, if applicable. Also, review your notice or letter to see if there is a specific website link to visit for additional information. This is usually located at the end of the notice or letter.

If the IRS has not accepted your request, then you have the right to either go to the IRS Independent Office of Appeals or request a review of your denial in U.S. Tax Court. Closely review your notice or letter to clearly understand your options, steps to complete and when your response is required, to ensure that it is received timely.

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Additional Information

Where can I get additional help?

Topic No. 653

IRS Notices and Bills, Penalties, and Interest Charges 

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The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS. TAS helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, makes administrative and legislative recommendations to prevent or correct the problems, and protects taxpayer rights. TAS helps all taxpayers (and their representatives), including individuals, businesses, and exempt organizations. You may be eligible for free TAS help if your IRS problem is causing financial difficulty, if you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or if you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should.

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