Someone stole my mail, and I know there was a letter from the IRS in it. I don’t know much about the kind of stuff they send. Should I be worried about this?
It depends on what was in the letter. At the very least, it would probably have the last four digits of your SSN or EIN (if it’s about a business). Sometimes they include the full SSN, so identity theft is a concern.
If you’re owed money, it could’ve been a check. If you owe money, the letter might tell you what to pay and how. Ignoring it can lead to penalties, interest, or even the IRS filing a lien or draining your bank account later.
It might also be an audit notice asking for documents or setting up an interview. If you don’t respond, they can make changes to your taxes, often meaning you owe more. For example, if you claimed Earned Income Tax Credit, they might want proof your kids live with you and that you support them. If you don’t provide proof, you lose the credit.
You can call the IRS’s general number to find out what the letter was about. They can usually give you the letter number, and you can Google it for details. They might also be able to re-issue the letter or tell you who’s handling your case if it’s assigned to someone specific.
@Caiden
Thanks for the advice. I’ll call them and see what I can find out.
You should create an account on irs.gov. Once you log in, go to the Notices and Letters section to see what they sent.
It’s not likely the person who stole your mail got enough info from the letter to harm you. The IRS usually doesn’t send anything with your full SSN or sensitive details unmasked.
@Weston
That’s a relief to hear. Thanks for letting me know.
Maybe give the IRS a call and check if they can help. If you owe anything, you could also set up a payment plan while you’re at it.
Do you have any idea what was in the letter? How do you know it was stolen?
Bao said:
Do you have any idea what was in the letter? How do you know it was stolen?
I don’t know what was in it, but someone who saw my mail told me there was an IRS letter in the pile. Now it’s gone.
The IRS might’ve sent you something like an IP PIN letter, especially around this time of year. As others mentioned, creating an account on IRS.gov is the best way to see what letters they’ve sent you. Typically, they only include the last four digits of your SSN in their letters.