IRS Notice CP11A: Changes — Earned Income Credit
The IRS adjusted your Earned Income Credit, creating a balance due.
- Response deadline
- 60 days from the notice date
- Category
- Refund & Adjustment
- Severity
- Moderate
What does an IRS CP11A notice mean?
A CP11A is a CP11 specific to the Earned Income Credit (EIC). The IRS changed the EIC amount on your return — usually reducing or disallowing it — which produced a balance due. The notice explains why the credit was adjusted and what you now owe.
Why did you receive a CP11A?
The IRS questioned eligibility for the EIC based on income limits, filing status, or the qualifying-child rules (relationship, age, residency), or found a mismatch in reported earnings.
How to respond to a CP11A notice
If the adjustment is correct, pay the balance or arrange a plan. If you believe you qualify for the EIC as claimed, respond within 60 days with documentation — proof of the child's relationship and residency (school, medical, or daycare records), and proof of earned income. The EIC has strict rules, so organized documentation matters.
What happens if you ignore it?
The reduced credit and resulting balance become final, with penalties and interest. If the IRS determined the EIC was claimed improperly, you could also be barred from claiming it for future years, so it is worth responding.
Common resolutions
- Pay the balance
- Provide documentation supporting your EIC claim
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For informational purposes only. Not legal, tax, or medical advice.