Correct an Official's Mistake on Your Taxes • Example Letters, Guides and Samples

Write Your Letter Step-by-Step

1 State your name and TIN (tax-payer identification number) and, if you like, the subject of the letter.

Sample Sentences for Step 1

• RE: John Doe
  SSN: 555-55-5555

Sample Phrases for Step 1

• RE: Insufficient data
• RE: Erroneous tax refund

2 Identify the error.

Sample Sentences for Step 2

• It appears that the county has made an error in my property tax assessment.
• There seems to be an error in my property tax assessment.
• I should have received a tax refund of $853.25, but instead received a check for $2,964.36.
• I expected a tax refund of $853.25, but received a check for $835.25.
• My home office deduction and computer depreciation deduction have erroneously been disallowed.
• I have been penalized for not declaring a State Income Tax refund of $444 for last year. The imposition of this penalty is an error.
• It appears that you have made an error in refusing to allow deductions for two of my dependents who both lack social security numbers.

Sample Phrases for Step 2

• a multiplicity of errors
• a profusion of mistakes
• after thoroughly reviewing my records
• appears that you have made an error in
• assessor made several mistakes
• believe that I have found errors
• but instead received a check for
• claimed that I failed to
• contrary to your policy
• did not allow deductions for
• expected a tax refund of
• explained the apparent discrepancy in the note attached to
• grievous mistake has occurred
• has committed a serious error
• have been penalized for
• have erroneously been disallowed
• have looked over the assessment carefully
• have mistakenly been omitted
• imposition of this penalty is an error
• in the assessment of my property
• in refusing to allow
• instructions were confusing
• is apparent that the township has erred
• probably a simple clerical error
• reported $0 from "other" income sources
• represents a real burden to
• seems to be an error in my
• should be explained with laymen in mind
• should be written more clearly
• thoroughly reviewed all records regarding
• was entitled to a home office deduction

3 Explain why you believe the reader has made an error.

Sample Sentences for Step 3

• My neighbors on each side, who have comparable homes, were assessed $2,819 and $2,940. The neighbor across the street, whose property is very similar to mine, was assessed $2,783. These assessments are, respectively, $930, $809, and $966 less than my assessment of $3,749.
• The assessment is calculated on a square footage of 84,000 square feet, but the property is actually 84 feet wide by 100 feet deep, with an area of 8,400 square feet.
• No explanation was attached and, because of the transposition of the numbers, I believe this may have been a clerical error.
• While it is true that my employer provides both an office and a computer for my use, my husband is a free-lance writer, and the computer and the office space are both for his exclusive use.
• They are used for no other purpose than his writing. I deal with the household and other accounts on my work computer.
• I did not receive a State Tax refund last year, but paid in $444. Enclosed is a copy of my canceled check.
• Please note that the children, twins, are both less than one year old. I had applied for Social Security numbers prior to filing, but they did not arrive on time. I do have their numbers now: Robert: 555-55-5555 and Eric: 555-55-5555.

Sample Phrases for Step 3

• a recent appraisal of my home
• am sure you will see the discrepancy
• assessed has increased unreasonably this year
• assessment is calculated on
• because of the transposition of the numbers
• believe this may have been a clerical error
• deductions have always been allowed
• employer does not provide
• enclosed is a copy of my canceled check
• expected to receive a refund of
• far more than the book value
• from the enclosed copies of our W-2 forms
• had not yet received their Social Security numbers
• have checked the records
• have not changed my name
• have receipts for the
• have kept written records of
• is provided for my exclusive use
• is used exclusively for
• my reported income did not match
• neighbors' assessments are considerably lower than
• no explanation was attached
• numbers must have been transposed
• receive no tax refunds last year
• review my previous income tax forms
• square footage is actually
• used for no other purposes
• was not disallowed last year

4 Request that a correction be made.

Sample Sentences for Step 4

• Of course I could appeal, but I suspect that this may be a simple clerical error, easily corrected. Please check the appropriate records and call me at 555-5555.
• Please review the matter and send me a check for the remainder.
• Kindly revise the assessment.
• I calculated the deductions strictly according to the IRS rules, and therefore request that you correct your records and allow the deductions. I trust that you will also cancel the tax and penalty that were assessed.
• Kindly correct your records.
• Please update your records and send our refund.

Sample Phrases for Step 4

• allow the deductions
• am eager to have this resolved
• am confident that you will
• as soon as possible
• before turning to the official appeals process
• call if you have further questions
• cancel the tax and penalty we were assessed
• cancel the tax penalty
• compare this assessment with
• expect prompt action
• expect to hear from you soon
• kindly correct your records
• kindly revise the assessment
• kindly send a check for the amount due to us
• may be a simple clerical error
• of course I could appeal, but
• please check the appropriate records
• please correct this mistake
• please make the necessary corrections
• request that you
• resolve this discrepancy
• review my case and
• send us our refund
• send me a check for the difference
• should be able to work this out
• there is probably a simple solution
• think this can be resolved quite easily
• to meet with you
• trust that you will
• update your records and
• will be happy to
• with previous assessments
• would appreciate your
• would like to meet with a representative
• would be pleased to
• your prompt attention to this matter
• your assistance in
• your sending the correct refund

5 Close with a positive expression, and give your TIN, if you did not give it earlier.

Sample Sentences for Step 5

• Thank you for your assistance.
• I trust this will be satisfactory. My TIN is 555 55 5555.
• Thank you for your cooperation. My TIN is 555 55 5555.
• If you have further questions, you can reach me at 555-5555.
• I would appreciate your checking this as soon as possible.

Sample Phrases for Step 5

• am conscious that errors occur
• am willing to provide more information
• am confident that you
• am sure you will
• are aware that mistakes happen
• do not hesitate to contact me
• for your assistance
• for your prompt attention to
• for taking the steps necessary to
• for working this out
• if you need additional information
• if you have any questions
• if I can assist you
• if you have further questions
• is a busy time of the year
• look forward to
• my TIN is 555-55-5555
• please call if
• please let me know
• send me a copy of
• straighten out the confusion
• thank you for
• the accompanying information may assist you in
• to receiving our refund
• to receiving confirmation that
• to seeing a revised summary
• trust that you will make every effort to
• trust that this will be satisfactory
• trust you will do everything necessary
• understand that such problems arise
• will appreciate your updating our files
• would appreciate your
• would appreciate receiving a copy of the corrected record
• your help with
• your correcting this
• your prompt attention to
• your cooperation in