What This Notice Means

A CP17 tells you the IRS is releasing estimated tax payment credits that were being held, or frozen, on your account and refunding the excess to you.

This is good news. You don't need to do anything to receive the refund.

When You'll Get the Money

Expect the refund within 4 to 6 weeks of the date on the notice. That assumes you don't owe other federal taxes or obligations and a refund amount remains.

If you do owe other federal taxes or certain other debts, the refund can be applied to those first. In that case, you may get less than the amount shown, or nothing at all.

What to Do

  • Compare the notice to your own record of estimated tax payments for the year: dates and amounts.
  • If a payment is missing or the amounts don't match what you sent, call the number on your notice.
  • Keep the notice with your tax records for that year.
  • Don't spend the refund until it arrives.

If the Refund Doesn't Arrive

If more than 6 weeks pass after the notice date, check your account or call the number on the notice. Ask whether the refund was issued, applied to another balance, or is still on hold.

Deadlines

There is no deadline. A CP17 does not ask you to respond.

If your IRS account has payments or credits that don't add up, call us at (813) 229-7100.