I Received an IRS Notice — What Should I Do Next?
CPA for YouTubers, Creators, Online Sellers & Medical Professionals in Los Angeles
Nothing ruins your day faster than opening your mailbox (or email) and seeing a letter from the IRS. You might be wondering:
“Did I do something wrong? Am I in trouble?”
First, take a breath. Not every IRS notice means an audit or penalty — but ignoring it is never the right move.
Why Did You Get an IRS Notice?
There are many reasons the IRS might contact you, including:
- A mismatch between what you reported and what third parties reported (like 1099s or W-2s)
- Unpaid taxes or underpayments
- Questions about deductions or credits
- Missing information
- Random review or audit
Examples for our audience (Creators, Sellers & Medical Pros):
👉 What would you do if you’re a freelance filmmaker who reported $50,000 in income but forgot to include a 1099-NEC for a short film project?
The IRS may send you a notice for underreporting income. Do you know how to respond — and prove deductible expenses to reduce what you owe?
👉 What would you do if you run a Shopify store and get a 1099-K from PayPal for $30,000 — but you already included this in your Shopify sales total?
A common mistake is double-reporting. The IRS may think you owe more. Do you know how to show clear records and fix it?
👉 What would you do if you’re a dentist who claimed a large home office deduction but got an IRS notice asking for documentation?
Many dental practice owners mix personal and business expenses. Do you have the right receipts and logs to defend your deduction?
What To Do If You Get an IRS Notice
1️. Don’t Ignore It
Always open IRS mail immediately. Ignoring it will not make it go away — it will get worse.
2️. Read Carefully
Look for:
- The notice number (e.g., CP2000, CP503)
- The tax year involved
- What the IRS says is wrong
3️. Check Your Records
Compare the notice with your tax return and documents. Sometimes it’s a simple fix, like a missing form or typo.
4️. Respond by the Deadline
Most notices include a reply deadline. Miss it and you could face penalties, extra interest, or a frozen refund.
5️. Get Help From a Professional
As CPAs for YouTubers, Shopify store owners, Amazon sellers, creators, and dental practices, we deal with IRS notices all the time. We know what the IRS needs to see — and how to fix mistakes fast and correctly.
🚫 Whatever You Do, Don’t Panic
An IRS letter is stressful, but with the right help you can resolve it calmly and avoid bigger problems.
Need Help With an IRS Notice?
At Velin & Associates, Inc, we help YouTubers, TikTokers, Shopify store owners, filmmakers, online sellers, actors, and medical professionals all over Los Angeles handle IRS letters — and prevent them in the first place.
For more information about our services, please visit our website.
Velin & Associates, Inc
8159 Santa Monica Blvd STE 198/200 West Hollywood, CA 90046
323-902-1000
dmitriy@losangelescpa.org
Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.