IRS CP13: Changes to Your Return — No Refund, No Balance Due

The IRS changed your return — no money owed, no refund issued.

Your deadline

60 days if you disagree

No payment required, but if the IRS's change is incorrect, respond in writing within 60 days to protect future years' carryforward items.

How soon to act: Standard

What this notice means

CP13 means the IRS made a change to your tax return, but the net result is that you neither owe additional tax nor are receiving a refund. While there's no immediate financial impact, the underlying change can affect carryforward items like net operating losses, credit carryovers, or basis calculations that affect future tax years.

Common reasons for CP13 include math error corrections, credit recalculations, or income adjustments where the IRS's change happened to produce the same bottom-line tax. The notice will identify what line item or calculation was changed.

Even though no money changes hands, you should review CP13 carefully. If the IRS's change is incorrect, it can affect your tax position in future years — especially if it alters a loss carryforward or credit carryover that you plan to use.

How it works

1
Read the notice to understand exactly what the IRS changed
2
Assess whether the change affects any carryforward items on your return (NOLs, credits, basis)
3
If the change is incorrect and affects future years, respond in writing within 60 days

Other options

Keep CP13 with your tax records — it documents a change to your official return
Consult a CPA if you're unsure whether the IRS's change will affect future filings

If you do nothing

Record the change permanently on your tax account transcript
Use the changed figures as the basis for future IRS calculations (e.g., NOL carryforward)
Apply the change when processing future returns or audits

Which sounds like you?

Dispute the Change

Formally contest incorrect IRS adjustments that affect your tax records

Tax Preparation Review

Have a CPA review your returns to ensure future filings reflect the correct carryforward items

Common questions

Should I worry about CP13 if I don't owe anything?

Usually not immediately — but review it. If the IRS changed a loss carryforward, credit, or basis figure, it could affect your taxes in future years. Disputes must be raised within 60 days.

What kinds of changes does CP13 typically make?

Common changes include math error corrections, credit eligibility recalculations, and income adjustments that happen to wash out. The notice will identify the specific line and amount changed.

Do I need to file an amended return after CP13?

Not necessarily. The IRS's change is recorded on your account. If you believe the change is wrong, dispute it in writing within 60 days rather than filing an amended return.

Can CP13 affect my state taxes?

Potentially — if the federal change alters income figures that carry through to your state return, you may need to file an amended state return. A CPA can review whether this applies.