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Project 01021

CP 49 Overpayment Adjustment - Refund Applied to

Project Statement:

CP 49 Overpayment Adjustment – Refund Applied to

Goal Statement:

The goal of this project is to review and make recommendations to the IRS that will enhance customer service and improve the taxpayers’ experience. Letters and Notices are sometimes hard to understand and make it difficult for taxpayers to comply with tax law.

Notices & Correspondence Committee

Year: 2024


Status: Elevated

RECOMMENDATION 01021-001

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

CP49 Page 1: listed under “Amount due” “If you already have an installment or payment agreement in place for this tax year, then continue with that agreement.” “If you have an approved payment agreement, or have applied for one for this tax year, then continue making payments according to that agreement — no additional action is required.” When taxpayer receives a notice from IRS, taxpayer may be confused by the notice if they are already in an agreement. This language clarifies that no new or additional action is required if an agreement is already in place. Non-adopt Response explanation This notice has been recently redesigned, with an implementation date of 6/25/2025, to address the recommendations.

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-002

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

2 Page 2: listed under “Payment options” Add a QRC for the IRS.gov/payments website Page 2: listed under “Payment options” Non-adopt Response explanation This notice has been recently redesigned, with an implementation date of 6/25/2025, to address the recommendations.

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-003

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Page 2: listed under “Additional Information” Add the following section under “Additional Information”: TAXPAYER ONLINE ACCOUNT – Taxpayers can create and access taxpayer online accounts. Please go to irs.gov, select “Sign into your Online Account” to get started; or Scan the QR Code found within this Notice. Non-adopt Response explanation This notice has been recently redesigned, with an implementation date of 6/25/2025, to address the recommendations. Please forward any feedback received directly from taxpayers to ts.tcs.cam@irs.gov, the feedback will be used in a future revision of the notice. Our committee is receiving multiple requests and/or comments regarding taxpayer confusion and difficulty in receiving and understanding IRS Notices and Correspondence. This will help taxpayers remain or become compliant, increase efficiency, reduce frustration. The IRS will also receive less phone calls, less paper, less frustrated taxpayers. The Notices and Correspondence Committee believes that if the taxpayer knew they could create an on-line account, much of this confusion could be alleviated. Most taxpayers are trying to obtain or confirm individual account information on the main IRS page. OR, taxpayers never visit the IRS main page to realize that taxpayers have the ability to create and view taxpayer’s individual on-line account information. Therefore, we respectfully request that this text be included at the top of ALL IRS correspondence. Our committee would then advocate for further detail and improvements under the taxpayer on-line account – which our committee will discuss and present.

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-004

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Page 2: listed under “Additional Information” Add the following section under “Additional Information”: Add a QR Code to go to the taxpayer on-line account. Communication and clarification – Taxpayer Rights and Sources of Assistance Non-adopt: Response explanation This notice has been recently redesigned, with an implementation date of 6/25/2025, to address the recommendations. Please forward any feedback received directly from taxpayers to ts.tcs.cam@irs.gov, the feedback will be used in a future revision of the notice.

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-005

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Page 2: listed under “Additional Information” Add the following section under “Additional Information”: The Taxpayer Advocate Panel (“TAP”) is a volunteer organization, comprised of community members, that can advocate for all taxpayers if the IRS systems, processes, or procedures are not functioning as intended. Please visit improveirs.org to submit your suggestions or concerns. Taxpayer Rights and Sources of Assistance Non-adopt Reason: Any recommendations to revise TAS Standard Language, LITC, or TBOR language requires approval from TAS Communications Office. All TAS, LITC, and TBOR language in IRS correspondence follows the TAS/TCS MOU. (providing the MOU with response)

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-006

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Page 2: listed under “Additional Information” Add the following section under “Additional Information”: Include the TAP QR Code. Taxpayer Rights and Sources of Assistance. Non-adopt Response explanation Any recommendations to revise TAS Standard Language, LITC, or TBOR language requires approval from TAS Communications Office. All TAS, LITC, and TBOR language in IRS correspondence follows the TAS/TCS MOU. (providing the MOU with response)

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-007

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

CP49 Page 1: If you already have an installment or payment agreement in place for this tax year, then continue with that agreement If you already have an installment or payment agreement in place for this tax year, then continue with that agreement Bold to highlight to taxpayer they just continue an installment agreement if they already have one in place. Non-adopt Response explanation This notice has been recently redesigned, with an implementation date of 6/25/2025, to address the recommendations. Please forward any feedback received directly from taxpayers to ts.tcs.cam@irs.gov, the feedback will be used in a future revision of the notice.

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-008

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Page 2: Payment options Pay online, by phone, or with a mobile device. Visit IRS.gov/payments or the IRS2Go mobile app for all IRS payment options. Pay online, by phone, or with a mobile device. Visit IRS.gov/payments, call [Add the phone number to pay by phone] or the IRS2Go mobile app for all IRS payment options. Communication and clarification – Taxpayer communication assistance Non-adopt Response explanation This notice has been recently redesigned, with an implementation date of 6/25/2025, to address the recommendations. Please forward any feedback received directly from taxpayers to ts.tcs.cam@irs.gov, the feedback will be used in a future revision of the notice.

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-009

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Page 1, What you need to do Add the following bullet under Pay your monthly bill: You can review or revise your current payment plan (type of agreement, due dates, amount you need to pay, and any other terms) by logging into the online payment agreement tool using the Apply/Revise button Taxpayer Rights and Sources of Assistance. Non-adopt Response explanation This notice has been recently redesigned, with an implementation date of 6/25/2025, to address the recommendations. Please forward any feedback received directly from taxpayers to ts.tcs.cam@irs.gov, the feedback will be used in a future revision of the notice.

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-010

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Page 1, What you need to do Add the following bullet under Pay your monthly bill: You can review or revise your current payment plan (type of agreement, due dates, amount you need to pay, and any other terms) by logging into the online payment agreement tool using the Apply/Revise button Taxpayer Rights and Sources of Assistance Non-adopt Response explanation The recommendation is not viable for a paper notice. The use of hyperlinks for webpages functionality only exists while using online resources. In addition, this notice has been recently redesigned, with an implementation date of 6/25/2025, to address the language recommendations. Please forward any feedback received directly from taxpayers to ts.tcs.cam@irs.gov, the feedback will be used in a future revision of the notice.

IRS Action: Not adopted

RECOMMENDATION 01021-011

RECOMMENDATION TEXT:

Page 1, What you need to do (From ID # above) Add the hyper link Apply/Revise button Taxpayer Rights and Sources of Assistance. Non-adopt Response explanation Duplicate of #3439

IRS Action: Not adopted