
A certified letter is a type of mail that requires a signature upon delivery, providing a record of receipt.
This ensures that the recipient acknowledges receipt of the letter, which can be crucial for official purposes.
In the United States, certified mail is governed by the Postal Service, which provides a tracking number and proof of delivery.
This level of accountability is essential for sensitive or time-sensitive communications, such as notices of eviction or tax notices.
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What is a Certified Letter?
A certified letter is a type of mail that's sent by the IRS to ensure important information reaches you directly. It's often used when they need to convey significant information or notify you about a specific matter.
The IRS sends certified mail for many reasons, including to convey importance. The letter is used to ensure that the message reaches you directly and that there is proof of delivery.
A certified letter from the IRS is often used for official communication. This means the information in the letter is significant and requires your attention, such as tax audits, overdue tax payments, or other issues that require your response or action.
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The certified mail receipt serves as proof that the letter was delivered to you, which is important for both parties if any further actions are necessary. This documentation helps maintain a record of the correspondence.
In some cases, the IRS may need to send certified letters to inform you about legal actions or proceedings. This ensures that the information reaches you directly and allows you to respond or take appropriate measures within the specified timeframe.
Here are the reasons why the IRS sends certified mail:
- Importance: A certified letter from the IRS is often used when they need to convey important information or notify you about a specific matter.
- Official Communication: When the IRS sends a certified letter, it means that the information in the letter is significant and requires your attention.
- Documentation: By sending a certified letter, the IRS maintains a record of the correspondence.
- Legal Purposes: In some cases, the IRS may need to send certified letters to inform you about legal actions or proceedings.
- Official Confirmation: When you receive a certified letter, you are usually required to sign for it, acknowledging that you have received and read the contents.
Common Reasons for Certified Letters
Taxpayers often receive certified letters from the IRS due to an outstanding balance.
The IRS sends certified letters for various reasons, including refund issues, return questions, and missing information.
Common reasons for certified letters include an outstanding balance, refund issues, return questions, identification verification, missing information, return changes, and processing delays.
If you're unsure of the reason for a certified letter from the IRS, ask your tax accountant for help.
Businesses use certified mail for important documents or packages that require confirmation of delivery.
Certified mail provides key benefits over standard mail, including delivery confirmation and protection of valuable contents.
The USPS provides a receipt or proof of delivery, either electronically or a physical green card, which shows the recipient's signature and verifies the date and time an item was delivered.
Tax-Related Reasons
You might receive a certified letter from the IRS for tax-related reasons, which can be a bit overwhelming. The IRS sends these letters to give you notice of a pending action, provide information, or request action from you.
The IRS is required to send these letters by certified mail due to the tax code, specifically Internal Revenue Code ยง 6331(d). This code requires the IRS to give you at least 30 days notice before taking any action against you.
You might receive a certified letter from the IRS if you have an outstanding balance due, such as the CP14 notice. This notice will inform you of the amount you owe and the steps you need to take to resolve the issue.

The IRS also sends certified letters when they need to verify your identity, such as the 5071C or 6331C notices. These letters will ask you to confirm your identity and provide additional information.
Other tax-related reasons for certified letters include a notice of deficiency, such as the CP3219N notice, or a notice of underreported income, such as the CP2000 notice. These letters will inform you of the issue and the steps you need to take to resolve it.
Here are some common tax-related notices you might receive from the IRS via certified mail:
- CP14: Outstanding balance due
- 5071C or 6331C: Identity verification
- CP3219N: Notice of deficiency
- CP2000: Notice of underreported income
Keep in mind that these notices will be sent to your last-known address, which is usually the address you used on your last-filed tax return unless you've filed a Form 8822 (Change of Address) with the IRS.
Identity Verification and Security
Certified letters are often used for identity verification, especially by the IRS. They may send a certified letter to double-check your tax return or other tax forms for accuracy.

A certified letter from the IRS will typically ask you to complete its identity verification process. You may need to provide identifying information to prove you are who you claim to be.
Even a small mistake on your tax return can raise questions about your identity. The IRS takes identity verification seriously, and it's not uncommon for them to send certified letters to resolve any discrepancies.
Businesses also use certified mail to send sensitive documents and personal information. This ensures that the contents are secure and confidential, and only delivered to the intended recipient.
The signature requirement for certified mail creates a chain of custody, showing the letter or package's progress. This helps identify if confidential items were compromised or exposed.
Certified mail provides assurance that critical documents or items with a deadline are delivered on time. The recipient's signature verifies the exact date the mail was received, and senders can track the mail's progress to prevent missed deadlines.
The extra expense of certified mail is often worth it for businesses, considering the peace of mind and legal protection it offers.
Missing or Incomplete Information

The IRS may send a certified letter if they're missing information from your tax return. This can happen if you forget to include important tax forms.
You must provide the necessary documents and records to verify the information the IRS already has about your employment and financial situation. If you fail to do so, it might result in a certified letter or an audit from the IRS.
A tax accountant can help you promptly provide the missing information to the IRS or assist you in filing your return in the first place. This can help you avoid unnecessary issues.
The IRS will explain the specific tax forms or income information it needs to process your return properly in a certified letter.
Business Mail Use and Purpose
Businesses often use certified mail to send important documents or packages and want confirmation that the item was delivered. This provides key benefits over standard mail, including delivery confirmation and protection of valuable contents.

Certified mail offers a receipt or proof of delivery, which shows the recipient's signature and verifies the date and time an item was delivered. This eliminates questions about whether the delivery was made and provides documentation for legal purposes if needed.
Businesses can use certified mail for a variety of purposes, including sending sensitive documents or personal information. The signature requirement ensures the mail is only delivered to the intended recipient, preventing confidential information from falling into the wrong hands.
Some common types of letters businesses might send using certified mail include legal notifications, financial communications, and time-sensitive documents. These can include service of process, termination notices, debt collection letters, and court notices.
Here are some common types of certified mail used by businesses:
The IRS also uses certified mail to send important letters to taxpayers. These can include identity verification letters, outstanding balance due letters, and notice of deficiency letters.
Responding to a Certified Letter
If you receive a certified letter, open it carefully and examine the envelope for the sender's name and return address.
The letter should be addressed to you, and the return address will be the sender's, which in most cases is a government agency or a court.
Make sure to keep the envelope and the letter together, as you'll need to sign and return the receipt portion on the envelope to confirm delivery.
Sign the receipt portion and return it to the sender within the specified timeframe, usually 3-5 business days.
The sender will then verify your receipt of the letter, which is an important step in the process.
If you're unable to sign the receipt, you can ask a trusted friend or family member to do it for you.
Keep a record of the date you signed the receipt and the date you returned it to the sender.
Benefits and Uses of Certified Letters
Certified letters are a crucial tool for both taxpayers and businesses, providing a secure and reliable way to send important documents and notifications.
The IRS sends certified letters to inform taxpayers of issues that need attention, such as outstanding balances, refund issues, or missing information.
Businesses use certified mail to get delivery confirmation and protect themselves from disputes about whether the delivery was made.
Certified mail provides a receipt or proof of delivery, either electronically or a physical green card, showing the recipient's signature and verifying the date and time an item was delivered.
Having proof of delivery is essential for businesses, as it eliminates questions about whether the delivery was made and provides documentation for legal purposes if needed.
Important or sensitive letters and documents often require certified mail, including legal notifications, financial communications, and government documents.
Certified mail safeguards valuable contents like contracts or checks by requiring someone to be present to accept the delivery and preventing theft of secured mail left unattended in mailboxes.
The signature requirement ensures that critical documents or items with a deadline are delivered on time, verifying the exact date the mail was received.
Certified mail tracking allows senders to proactively track the mail's progress and take action if delays arise, preventing missed deadlines due to postal errors or other holdups.

Certified mail keeps sensitive documents or personal information secure and confidential, with the signature requirement ensuring the mail is only delivered to the intended recipient.
The tracking capability creates a chain of custody, showing the letter or package's progress, and helps identify when and where a breach occurred if confidential items did get compromised.
Sources
- https://choicetaxrelief.com/irs/certified-mail/
- https://www.ustaxhelp.com/why-would-the-irs-send-you-a-certified-letter/
- https://www.irsstreamlinedprocedures.com/why-would-the-irs-send-me-a-certified-letter/
- https://spacecoastdaily.com/2024/07/5-reasons-businesses-might-use-certified-mail/
- https://amynorthardcpa.com/irs-certified-letter/
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