If you receive a letter from the IRS, don’t ignore it. You can usually deal with an IRS notice simply by responding to it. Most IRS notices are about federal tax returns. The notice will have specific instructions about what you need to do. You need to keep copies of any IRS notices you receive with your tax records.

There are a lot of tax scams that correspond by email and phone calls. The IRS sends letters and notices by mail . If you owe tax, you have several payment options and the IRS won’t demand that you pay a certain way, such as prepaid debit or credit card.

If your notice says that the IRS changed or corrected your tax return, review the information and compare it with your original return.

If you agree with the notice, you usually don’t need to reply unless it gives you other instructions or you need to make a payment.

If you have questions about the notice, call the phone number in the upper right-hand corner of the notice. You will need to have a copy of your tax return and the notice with you when you call.

If you don’t agree with the notice, you will need to respond in writing. Be sure to include information and documents pertaining to your notice with your letter. There will be a contact stub at the bottom of the notice. Use this address to mail your letter and allow 30 days for a response.

More information about responding to IRS notices can be found here.