What is a tax notice?
A plain-language explanation of notices in general: what they are, why they arrive, and the one thing to do with every one.
Tax season · Version 1 · 2 min read · Reviewed by Meridian Review Team · Sep 15, 2026
The basic idea
A tax notice is a written message from a tax agency about a return, an account or a payment. It arrives by mail.
Why they arrive
Reasons vary. Some ask for information. Some tell you about a change. Some ask for payment. Many are routine.
What every notice has in common
It has a date, a reference and, often, a response date.
The one thing to do
Send the notice to your preparer through the secure portal, promptly, with all pages. See the guide on tax letters and notices.
What not to do
- Do not post it, or details from it, in public.
- Do not rely on an email or text that claims to be from a tax agency.
- Do not assume it is bad or good until your preparer has read it.
What the hub cannot do
The hub cannot interpret your notice. That belongs to your preparer.