Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: inessential mistake
A notice of deficiency is a letter that the government sends to you in the mail if they find that you didn't pay enough taxes on your income. It tells you how much money you owe and gives you information about who to contact if you need help.
A notice of deficiency is a letter sent by the tax administrator to a taxpayer if they find that there is a shortage of income tax in the taxpayer's tax return. The notice is usually sent by mail and includes information about the taxpayer's right to contact a local office of the taxpayer advocate and the location and phone number of the appropriate office.
For example, if a taxpayer files their tax return and claims a deduction for a business expense that is not allowed by the tax code, the tax administrator may send a notice of deficiency to the taxpayer. The notice will inform the taxpayer of the deficiency and provide instructions on how to dispute the deficiency.
Another example is if a taxpayer fails to report all of their income on their tax return. The tax administrator may send a notice of deficiency to the taxpayer, informing them of the deficiency and providing instructions on how to resolve the issue.
These examples illustrate how a notice of deficiency is sent to a taxpayer when there is a discrepancy in their tax return. The notice provides the taxpayer with information on how to dispute or resolve the deficiency.