IRS letters

Letter 525. Examination report.

Letter 525 is a general 30-day letter sent with a computation report of proposed adjustments after an examination. It explains how to agree, disagree, or request further review.

General information from the Law Office of Alexander Powell, PLLC. It is not legal advice, and it is not a substitute for the notice itself.

On the paper

Compare each proposed adjustment with the return, source documents, and the examination report attached to the letter.

Find the date printed on your notice or letter. The paper notice and the current official IRS instructions control, even where this page differs.

General next steps

  1. Read the report and identify every adjustment you accept or dispute.
  2. Follow the letter’s instructions for replying and providing documents.
  3. If you disagree, preserve proof of a timely response and review the appeal or conference path described by the IRS.

Timing

The IRS says a Letter 525 protest should generally be filed within 30 days from the date of the letter. Use the date and instructions on your copy.

What this page cannot tell you

This page cannot evaluate the merits of an examination adjustment or tell you whether to appeal.

Official sources

If anything on this page differs from your notice or from current IRS instructions, follow the notice and the IRS.

If you want a lawyer’s help

Questions after reading the letter?

You can ask the Law Office of Alexander Powell, PLLC to consider a consultation about any IRS or tax letter. Requesting a consultation does not make Mr. Powell your lawyer, provide legal advice, or protect a deadline. Representation begins only after a conflict check, after the firm agrees to the matter, and after both sides sign a written engagement agreement.

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