A CP05A is the follow-up to a CP05: the IRS now needs documents to verify the income and withholding on your return before it releases your held refund. Gather exactly what the notice lists — pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, or proof of credits — and reply by the deadline. Complete, on-time documentation is the fastest way to free your refund.
A CP05A notice means the income-verification review behind your earlier CP05 needs supporting documents from you before your refund can be released. Unlike a plain CP05 (which asks for nothing), a CP05A lists specific items — wages, withholding, self-employment income, or a credit such as the Earned Income Tax Credit — and asks you to prove them. This is still not an audit of your whole return; it is a targeted request. The single most important thing is to send everything the notice lists, together, by the reply-by date on the notice. Sending partial documentation, or missing the deadline, is the most common reason these drag on for months. You can respond by mail or fax using the address/number on the notice; keep a copy of everything you send and proof of mailing.
Only what the notice lists — commonly W-2s, 1099s, final pay stubs, or records supporting a claimed credit. Send exactly those items together; don’t send your entire tax file.
The IRS generally asks for up to 60 days to review your response. Responding completely and on time is the fastest path; incomplete replies restart the review.
The IRS can disallow the unverified income or credits and adjust your refund or tax. If you’ve missed it, respond as soon as possible and keep proof of what you sent.
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