Form 14817 Reply Cover Sheet: What It Is and How to Use It
Properly organize your reply to an IRS notice. Form 14817 serves as a crucial cover sheet that guides your documents for accurate and efficient processing.
Form 14817, the Reply Cover Sheet, is a document used to correspond with the Internal Revenue Service. It acts as the top page for any response package sent to the agency regarding a notice or letter. Using this form helps ensure that your correspondence and supporting documents are routed to the correct department and examiner handling your case.
Preparing Your Response with Form 14817
Before completing the form, you must gather the specific IRS correspondence you are responding to. You will also need your Social Security Number (SSN) or, for a business, the Employer Identification Number (EIN), along with any documents that support your position or provide the information the IRS has requested.
The form is often included with the notice you receive from the IRS. If it is not, you can download a current version from the IRS website. When filling out the form, you will enter the date and your contact information in the “From” section. You should also provide a telephone number and indicate the best time for an examiner to call.
The form includes a space to identify the specific notice or letter you are responding to, which is typically found in the top right corner of the IRS correspondence. If your address has changed, you should not write the new address on this form. Instead, you must complete and attach the appropriate form to your reply package: Form 8822 to report a change of address for individuals, or Form 8822-B for a business.
Submitting Your Response Package
Once Form 14817 is complete, it must be placed on the very top of all the documents you are sending. Following the cover sheet should be your detailed written response, if you have one, and then all of your supporting documentation.
Your response package can be submitted by mail or electronically. For mail, the correct address is located on the original IRS notice or letter you received. It is highly recommended to use a mail service that provides tracking and proof of delivery, such as USPS Certified Mail.
As an alternative to mailing, you can upload your completed Form 14817 and all accompanying documents online using a computer or mobile device through the secure portal on the IRS website. Before submitting, make a complete copy of the entire package, including the signed Form 14817 and all attachments, for your personal records.