IRS response letter
By Justin Winter · Updated August 18, 2026
The short answer
A missed IRS notice deadline is the expensive part. Send it Certified with electronic Return Receipt, $14.99 all-in: USPS records when it was mailed and when it was signed for. Preview the exact pages free. This template is not tax or legal advice.
The math
The math on one certified letter.
| Option | Cost | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| paperplane, Certified + Return Receipt | $14.99, all in | About two minutes |
| At the counter | USPS fees, plus printing, an envelope and the trip | About ten minutes at the counter, plus the drive and the line |
USPS charges the same fees whoever hands the letter over. The difference is the trip, the form and the slip you keep for a year.
The template covers the four things an IRS response should state: which notice you are answering (number and date), whether you agree or disagree, what you are requesting, and what you have enclosed. Keep a copy of the letter and the enclosed documents for your records.
Why proof of delivery matters
- IRS deadlines are strict; a dispute about whether mail arrived can be decisive.
- Certified Mail with electronic Return Receipt gives a signed, dated delivery record.
- Keep the tracking link — it is your proof if the response date is ever questioned.
How it works
- Edit the template with your notice number, tax year, and what you are enclosing.
- Mail it Certified with Return Receipt ($14.99) so delivery is provable.
- We print the next business day and delete your file 30 days after delivery.
This is a template, not legal or tax advice. For significant amounts or complex situations, consult a tax professional.
Questions before you send
Why not go to the post office myself?
You can, and if your time is free it costs less. USPS charges the same fees whoever hands the letter over; paperplane does not replace the post office, it replaces the trip. The mailing record comes from USPS, not from us. $12.99 covers the printing, the envelope, PS Form 3800, a USPS address check before you pay and a handoff the next business day. For a letter you already know how to send, the counter is a fine choice.
What if they refuse the letter?
USPS tracking records what happened to it, including refused or unclaimed. You still have the mailing record. Rules on what that means vary, so check with your court or an attorney if a deadline depends on it.
If something goes wrong, do I pay?
If we cannot mail the letter, the hold on your card is released and you are not charged. If a letter fails after your card is charged, you are refunded automatically and in full.
Why send an IRS response by certified mail?
The IRS has strict deadlines and sometimes disputes when it received mail. Certified Mail with electronic Return Receipt gives you date-and-signature proof of delivery.
What should I put in the letter?
The notice number and date, what you are responding to, whether you agree or disagree, and what you are requesting. Our template pre-fills the structure for you.
Does this give legal or tax advice?
No. It is a template, not legal or tax advice. For significant amounts, consider a tax professional.