CP10A Notice: Earned Income Tax Credit Error
Content provided for general information. Talk to your advisor to learn about recent updates or other rules that may apply to your situation.
If you’ve received a CP10A Notice, the IRS believes you made a mistake on your Earned Income Tax Credit and owe more tax than you claimed. The refund you asked to apply towards next year’s estimated taxes is now lower.
Why does the IRS send CP10A Notices?
The IRS sends CP10A Notices for miscalculations. You may have missed a step when completing your tax return, checked the wrong box, or entered something in the wrong line.
Because you originally claimed a refund that is high enough to cover the additional tax, you don’t need to pay more now. However, less was applied to your estimated taxes for next year, and you may need to make an additional estimated tax payment.
What’s the difference between a CP10A, CP10, CP11, and CP11A Notice?
These notices generally mean that you made a mistake and owe more money. Each has a slightly different purpose.
| Pay Now | Check Your Estimated Taxes | |
|---|---|---|
| Earned Income Credit | CP11A | CP10A |
| Other Mistakes | CP11 | CP10 |
Related: IRS Notice CP12 Changes to Your Form 1040
How can you verify a CP10A Notice?
Your CP10A will be about something you included on your tax return. If it’s talking about deductions or credits you never heard about, it may be a scam. The one exception might be if it says you missed something, but that item should apply to your tax situation.
Your notice will look like this example on the IRS website. You can also go to irs.gov and look up the phone number to call. Never call the phone number on a notice you aren’t sure about, because if it’s a fake, the number will go to the scammers.
Should I agree with a CP10A Notice?
When you receive your CP10 Notice, carefully read it and match it up to your tax return. If you see an obvious mistake and fully understand why the IRS is right, you’ll likely want to go ahead and agree with the IRS.