Identity, refunds & unfiled returns
A review notice: the IRS is holding your refund while it double-checks income and withholding from your return against employer and bank reports. It typically asks for nothing and buys itself about 60 more days.
Routine
A review notice: the IRS is holding your refund while it double-checks income and withholding from your return against employer and bank reports. It typically asks for nothing and buys itself about 60 more days.
Why you got it: Something on the return — wages, withholding, credits — is being cross-checked against third-party data before the refund is released.
Not a bill, not an audit notice, and not a denial. It's a 'still working on it' letter — the correct response is usually to wait, watch, and keep your records ready.
Your first move: Do nothing unless the notice asks for something (that's CP05A's job). Mark 60 days on the calendar; if the refund hasn't moved by then, check your online account and the refund tracker.
The clock on this letter: No response required — the IRS gives itself about 60 days.
CP05 states the review may take up to 60 additional days. No clock runs against you on this notice.
Check 'Where's My Refund' and your online account weekly, save your energy.
W-2s and pay stubs organized now make a CP05A painless if it comes.
None required unless your specific notice says otherwise.
A CP05 never contains a link to 'expedite' your refund for a fee. Refund status lives at IRS.gov, typed by you.
Usually nothing bad — the review completes and the refund issues, or the IRS follows up with a CP05A asking for documents or a CP75 audit letter if it wants proof.
Where this sits on the ladder: CP05A → CP75 →
One payment. No subscription. Yours to keep — every notice, every letter, every script.