IRS Forms Guide: The Forms You Need to Answer a Notice

When you're dealing with the IRS, the right form can save weeks. This page lists the forms people most often need after getting a notice. They're grouped by task, with what each form does, when to use it, and where to learn more. All IRS forms are free on irs.gov. If a website charges you for a blank IRS form, go to irs.gov instead.

Fixing or finishing a return

Form 1040-X — Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

Use it to correct a return you already filed, such as income you left out, a missed credit, or the wrong filing status. Don't file one just to answer a CP2000 unless the notice tells you to; usually you send the notice's response form. See amended returns.

Form 4868 — Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

Gives individuals six more months to file, until October 15 for calendar-year filers. It does not give more time to pay. Interest and the late-payment penalty run from the original due date.

Form 4852 — Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099-R

Use it to file when an employer or pension payer never sent your W-2 or 1099-R, or sent a wrong one, and won't fix it. You estimate the figures from pay stubs.

Form 8862 — Information To Claim Certain Credits After Disallowance

Required to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Credit for Other Dependents or American Opportunity Tax Credit again after the IRS denied or reduced it. See CP79 and CP75.

Form 8962 — Premium Tax Credit

Reconciles any advance premium tax credit paid toward Marketplace health insurance. If it's missing, the IRS may hold your return and send a Letter 12C.

Form 1310 — Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer

Used to claim a refund owed to someone who died, in many situations where you aren't a surviving spouse filing jointly or a court-appointed representative.

Paying a balance you can't pay at once

Form 9465 — Installment Agreement Request

Requests a monthly payment plan by mail. Most individuals who owe $50,000 or less can apply online instead, which is faster and has lower fees in 2026 ($29 with automatic bank payments versus $107 by mail). See IRS payment plans and the payment plan calculator.

Form 433-F — Collection Information Statement

A shorter financial statement listing income, expenses, assets and debts. The IRS asks for it with some payment plan requests and for currently-not-collectible reviews. See currently not collectible.

Form 433-A — Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals

A detailed financial statement for individuals. Revenue officers often ask for it, and it is useful for a Collection Due Process hearing when you want Appeals to consider a payment alternative.

Form 433-H — Installment Agreement Request and Collection Information Statement

A combined payment plan request and financial statement. The IRS directs some people to it when they can't make the minimum payment needed for a simpler plan.

Form 433-B — Collection Information Statement for Businesses

The business version of the financial statement, used for corporations, partnerships and LLCs with payroll or other business tax debts. See our hub for small business owners.

Form 13844 — Application For Reduced User Fee for Installment Agreements

Use it if your income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines and the IRS didn't automatically give you the low-income payment plan fee. Send it within 30 days of your plan acceptance letter.

Form 1127 — Application for Extension of Time for Payment of Tax Due to Undue Hardship

Asks for more time to pay when paying on the due date would cause substantial financial loss. It is granted only in limited cases.

Form 656 — Offer in Compromise

Proposes settling your tax debt for less than you owe. You file it with Form 433-A (OIC) and, for businesses, Form 433-B (OIC), from the Form 656-B booklet. As of 2026 the application fee is $205, plus a first payment, unless you qualify as low income. See offer in compromise.

Form 433-A (OIC) — Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals

The financial statement used only with an offer in compromise. It figures your "reasonable collection potential," which is what the IRS thinks it could collect.

Penalties, refunds and account problems

Form 843 — Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement

Asks the IRS to remove a penalty, such as for reasonable cause, or to refund certain taxes, penalties or interest. Many penalty relief requests can be made by phone first. See penalty relief.

Form 2210 — Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates and Trusts

Figures the penalty for not paying enough tax during the year, and lets you request a waiver or use methods that may lower it.

Form 3911 — Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund

Starts a trace on a refund that was issued but never arrived, or was lost, stolen or destroyed. See refund delays and offsets.

Form 8379 — Injured Spouse Allocation

Lets a spouse get back their share of a joint refund that was applied to the other spouse's past-due debt, such as back child support or a federal debt. See CP49.

Form 8857 — Request for Innocent Spouse Relief

Asks to be relieved of tax, interest and penalties on a joint return caused by a spouse or former spouse. For most types of relief you must file within two years after the IRS first tries to collect from you. See innocent spouse relief.

Form 1040-ES — Estimated Tax for Individuals

Worksheets and payment vouchers for quarterly estimated tax. The 2026 payments were due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and the last is due January 15, 2027. See the self-employment tax calculator.

Form W-4 — Employee's Withholding Certificate

Tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold. Updating it is the easiest way to avoid owing again next year. You give it to your employer, not the IRS.

Form 8822 — Change of Address

Updates your address with the IRS so you don't miss notices. Businesses use Form 8822-B. Missing a notice because it went to an old address can cost you appeal rights.

Appeals, hearings and disputes

Form 12153 — Request for a Collection Due Process or Equivalent Hearing

Requests an independent review by IRS Appeals after a final notice of intent to levy, such as an LT11 or CP90, or a lien notice (Letter 3172). The deadline is generally 30 days from the notice date. After that, you can request an equivalent hearing within one year. See CDP hearings.

Form 9423 — Collection Appeal Request

Requests a Collection Appeals Program (CAP) review of a lien, levy, seizure, or a rejected, changed or ended payment plan. It is faster than a CDP hearing, but you can't take the decision to court.

Form 12203 — Request for Appeals Review

A short way to appeal proposed audit changes of $25,000 or less per tax period, instead of a formal written protest. See Letter 525, Letter 950 and IRS audits.

Form 13711 — Request for Appeal of Offer in Compromise

Appeals the IRS's rejection of your offer in compromise. The rejection letter gives the deadline.

Liens

Form 12277 — Application for Withdrawal of Filed Form 668(Y), Notice of Federal Tax Lien

Asks the IRS to withdraw the public lien notice. This may be possible after you pay in full or in some direct debit payment plan situations. See federal tax liens.

Form 14135 — Application for Certificate of Discharge of Property from Federal Tax Lien

Removes the lien from one specific property, often so you can sell it.

Form 14134 — Application for Certificate of Subordination of Federal Tax Lien

Lets another lender take priority over the IRS lien, for example to refinance a home loan.

Representatives and access to your information

Form 2848 — Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative

Authorizes a CPA, enrolled agent, attorney or other eligible person to represent you before the IRS. See tax professional power of attorney.

Form 8821 — Tax Information Authorization

Lets a person or organization see your tax information, but not represent you or argue on your behalf.

Form 56 — Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship

Tells the IRS that someone, such as an executor, trustee or guardian, is acting for a taxpayer or an estate.

Form 4506-T — Request for Transcript of Tax Return

Orders free IRS transcripts by mail or fax. Most people can get them faster in their IRS Online Account. See transcripts and online account.

Form 4506 — Request for Copy of Tax Return

Orders an exact copy of a return you filed. There is a fee, and it takes longer than a transcript. A transcript is often enough.

Identity theft and help

Form 14039 — Identity Theft Affidavit

Reports that someone used your Social Security number or ITIN to file a return or otherwise misuse your tax identity. Don't file a second one for the same incident. See tax identity theft.

Form 15227 — Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN)

For people who can't get an IP PIN online. According to the January 2026 form, you need an SSN or ITIN, a phone, and adjusted gross income on your last return below $84,000 ($168,000 married filing jointly). See CP01A.

Form W-7 — Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

Applies for an ITIN if you need to file but can't get a Social Security number. See CP565 and CP566.

Form 911 — Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance (and Application for Taxpayer Assistance Order)

Asks the free, independent Taxpayer Advocate Service for help when an IRS problem is causing hardship or normal channels haven't worked. See Taxpayer Advocate Service.

Form 14157 — Return Preparer Complaint

Reports a tax preparer for misconduct, such as refusing to sign returns or charging improper fees. If a preparer changed your return or took your refund without permission, use Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit. See IRS scams.

Form SS-4 — Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Applies for an EIN for a business, trust or estate. Most applicants get one free and immediately online. See CP575.

IRSV.com is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the IRS. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change; confirm details on IRS.gov or with a tax professional. Found an error? Tell us.