en   An official website of the U.S. Govt
Popular search terms:
Published:   |   Last Updated: October 30, 2024

CP11

IRS Issues Math Error Notice – Balance Due

Where am I on the Roadmap?

Important

You must contact the IRS within 60 days of the date of this notice, for IRS to reverse the changes made on your account.

You have [days number] days remaining to remit payment.

Please send payment immediately or contact the IRS at 1-877-777-4778

You are [days number] late to remit payment.

Please send payment immadiately or contact the IRS at 1-877-777-4778

Overview

The IRS corrected one or more mistakes on your tax return due to a miscalculation.

I need more information

1
1.

What does this mean to me?

The IRS received your individual income tax return and determined you have a balance due. A CP11, Math Error on Return – Balance Due, notice is issued when there is a mistake on your return that resulted in a balance due of five dollars or more.

2
2.

How did I get here?

You submitted your income tax return with one or more mistakes that needed to be corrected. As a result:

  • The balance due is different from the one you expected, or
  • You have a balance due when you thought you had an overpayment that was to result in a refund.
3
3.

Review the notice carefully and compare the changes made to the information on your tax return

It will explain the changes made and why you owe money. Contact the IRS at the toll-free number listed on the top right corner of your notice to find out what changes the IRS made to your tax return.


eye on a paper - file preview

Note: Authorized third parties may assist taxpayers

Complete and send the IRS a Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, to authorize someone (such as an accountant) to represent you before the IRS. Without a valid Power of Attorney on file, you must be present for any discussions with the IRS and a third party.

4
4.

If you agree

If you agree with the changes made, no response is required.

  • Pay the amount owed by the date on the notice.

If you are unable to pay the amount owed in full, pay as much as you can to limit penalties and interest. Visit Paying Your Taxes to consider online payment options. If you believe you will be able to pay your balance in full within the extended time frame, you may qualify for a short-term payment plan without paying a user fee. If you need additional assistance, call the IRS at the toll-free number on the top right corner of your notice.

If you need to make payment arrangements if you can’t pay the full amount you owe. You can do this online using the Online Payment Agreement tool.


You may want to correct the copy of your tax return that you kept for your records, but do not send it to the IRS

5
5.

If you disagree

If you disagree, contact the IRS at the toll-free number listed on the top right corner of your notice or respond by mail to the address on your notice. If you write to the IRS, include a copy of the notice along with your correspondence or documentation.

  • If you contact the IRS within 60 days of the date of this notice, the IRS will reverse the changes made to your account. However, if the IRS requests documentation from you and you can’t provide it or the documentation you provide is not satisfactory, the IRS will forward your case to the Examination department for a formal review of the items in question. Forwarding your case gives you formal appeal rights, including the right to appeal the decision in court. After your case is forwarded, you should be contacted by a member of the Examination staff within five to six weeks to explain the audit process and your rights.

If you don’t contact the IRS within 60 days, you must pay the additional tax, then file a claim for refund before the IRS will consider reversing the changes. You must submit the claim for refund within three years from the date you filed the tax return, or within two years from the date of your last payment for this tax, whichever is later.


If you don’t contact the IRS within the 60-day period, you’ll lose your right to appeal the decision before payment of tax.

6
6.

Frequently Asked Questions on my Balance Due

How do I adjust my estimated tax payments?

You can adjust your estimated tax payments with a Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals PDF. For more information, see Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax PDF.

How can I find out what caused my tax return to change?

Read your notice carefully. For additional clarification, call us at the number shown on your notice.

Will I be charged interest on the money I owe?

To avoid interest charges, full pay the amount owed by the due date stated on the payment coupon. If you don’t pay in full by that date, interest will accrue on the unpaid balance from the date the return was due.

Will I receive a penalty if I can’t pay the full amount?

Yes, you will receive a late payment penalty. You can contact the IRS at the number shown on your notice if you can’t pay the full amount shown in your specific notice because of circumstances beyond your control. Contact the IRS by the due date of your payment and, depending on your situation, they may be able to remove the penalty. See the IRS Penalty relief page for what information to have available.

General Resources

Understanding your notice or letter

Get Help topics

Browse common tax issues and situations at TAS Get Help

If you still need help

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS. TAS helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, makes administrative and legislative recommendations to prevent or correct the problems, and protects taxpayer rights. TAS helps all taxpayers (and their representatives), including individuals, businesses, and exempt organizations. You may be eligible for free TAS help if your IRS problem is causing financial difficulty, if you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or if you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should.

TAS has offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To find your local advocate’s number:

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) assist individuals whose income is below a certain level who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. They also provide education, outreach, and information on taxpayer rights to individuals who speak English as a second language. LITCs represent taxpayers in disputes before the IRS and courts and help taxpayers respond to IRS notices and correct account problems. Services are offered for free or a small fee. LITCs are independent from the IRS and TAS. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC Page or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. You can also request Pub. 4134 by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

View our Interactive Tax Map

Let us help you navigate your way through the IRS. Visit our interactive tax map to see where you are in the tax process.

Taxpayer Roadmap
icon

Did you know there is a Taxpayer Bill of Rights?

The taxpayer Bill of Rights is grouped into 10 easy to understand categories outlining the taxpayer rights and protections embedded in the tax code.

It is also what guides the advocacy work we do for taxpayers.

Read more about your rights