IRS Notice CP05B: Refund held while IRS checks reported income
IRS Notice CP05B is a refund letter from the IRS. The income on your return does not match what others reported to the IRS. The IRS is holding your refund until it checks. Letters in this group explain what is happening with a refund.
What this letter usually means
The income on your return does not match what others reported to the IRS. The IRS is holding your refund until it checks. Keep this letter with your tax records for the year it covers.
Category: About your refund
What people usually do first
Send proof of your income by the date on the notice, using the voucher on the last page.
What to have ready
- The letter, every page, with the voucher
- Papers that back up the income on your return
- Your W-2s and 1099s
- Form 14039, if someone else used your name
What may come next
This letter does not point to a specific follow-up letter. Any later step will be described in mail from the IRS.
Read the IRS page
The IRS letter itself is the final word on what it means for you. Read the IRS page for CP05B.
Common questions about CP05B
What is IRS notice CP05B?
The income on your return does not match what others reported to the IRS. The IRS is holding your refund until it checks.
How long do I have to respond to a CP05B notice?
The date to respond or pay by, if there is one, is printed on your letter. Check it, and read the IRS page for CP05B for more.
Is a CP05B notice a scam?
A real CP05B comes by mail and should match your own records. You can also sign in to your IRS Online Account on irs.gov to see your account directly.
What should I have ready for a CP05B notice?
The letter, every page, with the voucher, Papers that back up the income on your return, Your W-2s and 1099s, Form 14039, if someone else used your name.
Scan your letter in the OweRight iPhone app
The OweRight app can tell you what a CP05B letter is and points you to the IRS page for it.
OweRight is not the IRS and does not give tax or legal advice.
Related notices
- IRS Notice CP09: You may get money back from the Earned Income Credit
- IRS Notice CP08: You may get money back from the Additional Child Tax Credit
- IRS Notice CP21B: Changes you asked for: refund coming
- IRS Notice CP32A: Your refund check expired
- IRS Notice CP42: Refund reduced for a spouse's tax debt
- IRS Notice CP27: You may get the Earned Income Credit