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Understanding your CP321O notice

What this notice is about 

Our records show you claimed the Schedule 1-A qualified tips deduction. Our initial review of your 2025 Form 1040 federal tax return suggests that you may have claimed too much of a qualified tip deduction on Schedule 1-A. You must ensure you qualify for all deductions and the amounts you claim. 

If you made an error in your Schedule 1-A deductions, you may need to amend your return. This notice has been sent to inform you of this potential discrepancy and to help you verify if you claimed this deduction correctly. For more information on how to correctly claim these deductions, see the instructions for Schedule 1-A, found starting on page 101 of the 2025 Form 1040 Instructions PDF.

You may want to 

Review your 2025 Form 1040 and make sure you correctly claimed all deductions. If you made an error:

  1. File an amended return. If you filed electronically, you may file your amended return electronically. You can get help at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
  2. Share this letter with anyone helping you with preparing your returns.
  3. If you file an amended federal tax return, you may also need to file an amended state or local tax return.

Failure to review and address any incorrect or incomplete information could result in additional communication from the IRS.

Frequently asked questions

For tax years 2025-2028, under Working Families Tax Cuts, taxpayers may be eligible for a new deduction if they received qualified tips. For tipped workers, the maximum annual deduction is $25,000, which phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers).

An eligible individual may deduct qualified cash tips if you have tip income from specific occupations that customarily and regularly receive tips. Workers can take the deduction only for qualified tips that are included in the amounts reported in box 1 of Form W-2 or Form 1099-NEC, in box 3 of Form 1099-MISC, in box 1a of Form 1099-K, or reported by the employee on Form 4137.

Helpful information 

Follow the links below to read more about topics related to the qualified tips and other new provisions:

Follow the links below to read more about filing an amended return or making a payment: