Taxpayers who receive certain notices requiring them to send information to the IRS can now submit their documentation online through IRS.gov. This new secure step will allow taxpayers or their tax professionals to upload documents electronically rather than mailing them in, helping reduce time and effort in resolving tax issues.
Initially, the online correspondence feature will be available to the more than 500,000 taxpayers each year who receive one of nine IRS notices. These notices are primarily sent to individual tax filers claiming various tax benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and moderate-income workers, the Child Tax Credit for families with dependents, the Premium Tax Credit for those who obtain health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace and members of the military claiming combat zone tax benefits. Of note, taxpayers receiving these notices can respond securely to IRS online, regardless of whether they have an IRS Online Account.
How the Document Upload Tool Works
The prototype for the Document Upload Tool was developed by IRS information technology specialists in 2021. Since then, the IRS has been testing this feature on a limited number of exam-related notices, and 38% of the responses to these notices have used the agency’s secure electronic communications rather than traditional mail.
Language on the notice informs the taxpayer to “Send us your documents using the Documentation Upload Tool within 30 days from the date of this notice.” It includes the link and a unique access code.
- The taxpayer can open the link in any browser and then input their unique code, first and last name, and Social Security, Individual Taxpayer Identification, or Employee Identification number.
- The taxpayer can then securely upload scans, photos, or digital copies of documents (maximum of 15 MB per file, up to 40 files).
- The taxpayer receives a confirmation that the IRS received their documents, and the IRS employee assigned to the case can manage the transmitted documents.
What Notices Qualify?
Taxpayers who receive one of the following notices with the link and access code can choose to upload their documents:
- CP04, relating to combat zone status.
- CP05A, information request related to a refund.
- CP06 and CP06A, relating to the Premium Tax Credit.
- CP08, relating to the Child Tax Credit.
- CP09, relating to claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit.
- CP75, relating to the EITC.
- CP75a, relating to the EITC.
- CP75d, relating to the EITC and other credits.
Future Expansion Planned
This capability is expected to expand to dozens of other notices in the coming months and years. In addition, the IRS will offer digital correspondence on various other taxpayer interactions. During live phone calls with taxpayers, IRS employees can grant upload access by providing the link and unique access code.
Secure Digital Correspondence Offers a Better Solution
For taxpayers and tax professionals working with the IRS, this new capability reduces the correspondence burden, ensures tax compliance, and improves the customer experience. For IRS employees, this reduces paper correspondence, decreases processing time, and speeds case resolution.
