Understanding your CP591 notice

What this notice is about

This notice is sent when you use a tax return preparer and you may have incorrectly claimed one or more of the following tax benefits on your tax return:

• Earned Income Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit/Additional Child Tax Credit/Credit for Other Dependents
• American Opportunity Tax Credit
• Head of household filing status

This notice informs you of potential errors on your tax return and reminds you that you’re ultimately responsible for the accuracy of it. Inaccurate tax returns are subject to audit by the IRS and may result in you being banned from claiming certain credits in the future.

What you need to do

• Review your tax return.
• File Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, if you need to fix any mistakes.
• Consider using a new preparer, completing future tax returns yourself, or using the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, which offer free tax return preparation help from community volunteers for taxpayers who qualify.

Helpful information

We'll check returns you file in the future to make sure they’re correct when you claim these benefits.
Learn more about choosing a tax return preparer on our help page.