- What it means
- The name and Social Security number on your return do not match Social Security records, and the refund is held until it is resolved.
- Respond within
- 30 days from the date on the notice
- What to send
- The response form with a copy of your Social Security card, or a corrected return if the number was wrong.
- Write it
- Document cover letter
- When to get help
- If Social Security's records are wrong (a name change never recorded), fix it there first.
What the letter says
Most often a name change after marriage or divorce that was never reported to Social Security, or a transposed digit.
What to do
If the return has a typo, respond with the correct number. If your name changed, update Social Security with Form SS-5 and then respond to the IRS. Refund processing resumes after the match clears.
What to gather
- The notice
- Social Security card
- Marriage certificate or court order if a name changed
Write back
The Document cover letter tool builds the response in the order the IRS reads it. Fill it in, review it, print it, and send it with copies of the documents above and the notice stub on top.
Before you send anything
This is general information, not tax advice. Situations differ. Check with your tax advisor before you send anything. Nothing on this page creates a client relationship.