Verification vs Resolution: Confirm Before You Fix

When an IRS notice arrives, most taxpayers jump straight to one question. How do I fix this?

That instinct is understandable, but it is often expensive.

Verification must come before resolution. Until an IRS claim is confirmed as accurate, timely, and enforceable, any payment, appeal, or resolution strategy is premature and may create unnecessary cost or risk.

If you are holding an IRS notice and feel pressure to act quickly, this is the point to slow down. Before committing to a strategy, it is worth confirming whether the issue actually exists in the form the IRS claims it does. You can call, email, or message Steve Perry, EA to verify what you are dealing with before taking action that may not be required.

Call Steve at (678) 717-9818, email him at [email protected], or message him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/steveperrybtm.

Why Fixing Too Fast Creates Risk

The IRS processes millions of accounts using automated systems. Errors are not rare.

Payments are misapplied. Assessments are issued based on incomplete data. Notices are generated without full context. When taxpayers rush to resolve an issue without verifying it first, they often create new problems.

Common outcomes include paying balances that are incorrect, entering agreements that were never required, restarting enforcement timelines unnecessarily, or losing leverage that would have existed if errors were identified early.

Resolution without verification is reactive. It is not protective.

Verification and Resolution Are Not the Same Thing

Resolution asks what option should be chosen.

Verification asks whether the claim is valid in the first place.

Verification focuses on accuracy, authority, and enforceability. It examines whether the assessment is correct, whether the IRS followed required procedure, whether collection is legally permitted, and whether time limits or statutes affect the claim.

Only after those questions are answered does resolution planning make sense.

Common IRS Issues That Fail Verification

Not every IRS notice represents a real, enforceable problem.

Verification frequently uncovers misapplied payments, duplicate assessments, math errors triggered by information return mismatches, expired collection statutes, or notices issued without required prior correspondence.

In some cases, verification eliminates the issue entirely. In others, it changes the strategy so significantly that unnecessary payments or agreements are avoided.

Why IRS Notices Are Not Automatically Correct

An IRS notice reflects what the system believes to be true at a specific moment. It is not a legal determination.

The Internal Revenue Service relies heavily on automated matching and internal processing rules. Those systems do not evaluate context unless a deliberate review occurs.

Verification ensures the notice reflects reality rather than unchallenged system output.

The Cost of Skipping Verification

Skipping verification can create lasting consequences.

Taxpayers may overpay. They may waive rights without realizing it. They may pay professional fees to resolve issues that should have been challenged or withdrawn. Once action is taken, reversing it is often more complex than verifying first.

If you feel rushed to choose a resolution path, that urgency itself is a signal to pause and verify.

Call Steve at (678) 717-9818, email [email protected], or message him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/steveperrybtm to confirm whether the IRS claim is accurate and enforceable.

How Verification Changes Strategy

When verification is done first, resolution becomes targeted instead of defensive.

Verification may show that no payment is required, the balance is overstated, enforcement is not currently authorized, an appeal or challenge is appropriate, or a resolution option is unnecessary.

Each of these outcomes improves leverage and reduces exposure.

What Verification Actually Involves

Verification is a structured review, not guesswork.

It includes confirming notice history, validating assessments, reviewing how payments were applied, checking statutory timelines, and confirming procedural compliance. This process determines whether resolution is required and, if so, which options are appropriate.

Recommended Next Steps

If you have received an IRS notice and are considering payment, an appeal, or a resolution program, stop and verify first.

Confirm whether the IRS claim is accurate, timely, and enforceable before choosing a strategy. You can call, email, or message Steve Perry, EA for a verification review before taking action.

Phone: (678) 717-9818
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steveperrybtm

A short verification step now can prevent unnecessary cost, lost leverage, and long term exposure.

FAQ

Does every IRS notice require action?
No. Some notices are informational, incorrect, or unenforceable. Verification determines whether action is required.

Is verification the same as an appeal?
No. Verification occurs before any appeal or resolution strategy is selected.

Can verification reduce what I owe?
Yes. Verification often identifies errors, misapplied payments, or invalid assessments.

When should I move to resolution?
Only after verification confirms the issue is valid and enforceable.