Florida: When the IRS Writes and the State Might Too
Your IRS audit letter or notice is handled under federal rules explained in our federal guides. The Florida Department of Revenue is a separate agency that may contact you on its own. Read any state letter separately and confirm details on its official site.
Where you stand
You have a letter from the IRS asking for information about specific items on your return. The IRS describes this kind of request as an audit by mail, and it begins by mail rather than by phone. Your attention belongs first on that letter and its response date.
Florida's tax agency is a different office. Nothing on this page says it will or will not be involved.
Before doing anything else, write down three things from the letter: who sent it, what items it asks about, and the date by which it wants an answer. The IRS says a mail audit letter asks for information on specific items and lists the documents it wants, so the letter itself is your checklist.
The Florida agency
Florida's tax agency is the Florida Department of Revenue (floridarevenue.com). Its homepage is the place to find official contact options and information.
This page does not describe Florida tax rules and makes no statement on what Florida taxes apply to you.
Keeping the two matters separate
Imagine a rental owner who is asked by the IRS to document certain expenses. The federal reply uses copies of receipts and statements, sent as the letter directs. A separate letter from the state, if one comes, would carry its own instructions and should be answered that way.
For the rental owner, that could mean a folder of expense receipts, bank statements showing payments, and a short note linking each document to the line it supports. Send photocopies rather than originals, and keep the originals somewhere safe.
- Federal: follow the IRS letter and its date.
- State: follow the state letter and the agency's site.
- Never assume one response satisfies both.
Check who is calling
The IRS says it does not start an audit by telephone. If someone phones claiming to be tax authority and demands payment, stop, do not share personal details, and verify through official channels.
Because the IRS begins by mail, a letter that arrives unexpectedly by email, text or social media message is a reason to pause. Compare the notice number in the upper right corner of any paper letter with the IRS site, and reach the Florida Department of Revenue only through the address you typed yourself.
What not to do
Do not ignore the federal letter while waiting to hear from the state. The IRS says that if you miss the deadline it completes the audit and sends proposed changes.
Do not send originals, and do not send more than the letter asks for. If you cannot gather everything in time, the IRS audits page describes a possible one-time extension for mail audits, so read the letter and the current IRS page rather than staying silent.
Using the tool
The tool helps you organize records and draft a response letter for the federal matter. It does not replace the Florida Department of Revenue's instructions.
You describe what the letter asks, organize the supporting documents and review a draft before sending it yourself. A licensed professional can still step in at any point; the IRS says you may be represented.
After you respond to the IRS
Keep copies of everything you sent, along with proof of how and when it went out. The IRS audits page says that if you miss the deadline it completes the audit and sends proposed changes, so a reply sent in good time is worth the effort.
Then watch your mail. The IRS will write back, and a state agency might as well. If either letter confuses you, set it next to your records and, if needed, ask a licensed professional to review it.
Ready to respond?
Upload your IRS notice, answer a few questions, review the analysis and response strategy, fill in your details, and get a response letter you can copy or download as a PDF or DOCX file.
Start your response letterFrequently asked questions
Will Florida be notified of my IRS audit?
This page cannot say. Ask the Florida Department of Revenue through its official site if you have a question.
Does the IRS start an audit by phone?
The IRS audits page says it will not initiate an audit by telephone. Audits start with a letter.
Where is the official Florida agency site?
floridarevenue.com is the Florida Department of Revenue's site. Type it in yourself.
Can I get a longer time to answer the IRS?
The IRS audits page describes a one-time extension practice for mail audits that may change, so check the current IRS page and the instructions on your letter.