Do not panic, but do not ignore it.
First step
Read the notice carefully and identify:
- the tax year involved
- the issue being raised
- whether the IRS is asking for payment, explanation, or documentation
- the deadline to respond
Why people get into trouble
Ignoring notices, responding emotionally, or assuming the IRS is automatically wrong can all make a manageable issue harder.
Bottom line
An IRS notice is a process problem first. Read it, compare it with your records, and respond based on what it actually says, not what you fear it says.