Getting an IRS letter that says your tax return “may be inaccurate” can spike anyone’s stress level. Recently, more taxpayers have reported receiving IRS Letter 6138, especially if they claimed certain credits or filed using a filing status the IRS knows is often misunderstood.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝:
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
• Child Tax Credit (CTC / ACTC / ODC)
• American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)
• Head of Household (HOH)
…you might see this notice.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐑𝐒 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟏𝟑𝟖?
It’s an educational letter from the Internal Revenue Service saying your return may be inaccurate.

Key word: may.

❌It does NOT say your return is wrong.
❌It does NOT list a balance due.
It’s basically the IRS saying: “Please double-check what you claimed.”

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐈𝐭?
Receiving this letter does not mean you did something wrong.

It’s often sent when:
• You claimed credits that are commonly misunderstood
• Your filing status (like HOH) requires specific qualifications

It’s more of a caution flag than a penalty.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐎𝐄𝐒𝐍’𝐓 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧 
🚫 It’s NOT an audit.
🚫 It doesn’t automatically mean you owe money.
🚫 It doesn’t prove your return is wrong.

If there was an adjustment or balance due, you would receive a completely different notice.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐨 
Step 1: Don’t panic — and don’t throw it away. Keep it with your tax records.
Step 2: Pull up your filed return. Look closely at:
• EITC
• CTC / ACTC / ODC
• AOTC
• Head of Household

Step 3: Ask yourself:
👉 Did I truly qualify?
👉 Do I have documentation to prove it?

Most IRS issues come down to eligibility details — dependents, residency, education expenses, and who actually paid household costs.

𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 (𝐢𝐟 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞)
For Dependents / EITC / CTC / HOH
• Birth certificates or adoption records
• Social Security cards
• School or daycare records showing child’s name + address
• Medical or insurance records showing address
• Court or custody agreements
• Proof the child lived with you

For Head of Household
• Lease or mortgage statements
• Property tax statements
• Utility bills
• Receipts for household expenses
• Proof you paid more than half the household costs

For Income (especially EITC)
• W-2s / 1099s
• Paystubs
• Self-employment records (invoices, receipts, mileage logs)

For American Opportunity Credit (AOTC)
• Form 1098-T
• Tuition payment receipts
• Receipts for required books/supplies
• Proof of at least half-time enrollment

𝐈𝐟 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭
If you qualified and have documentation, you’re usually fine.
In many cases, no response is required.

Just keep your records in case the IRS follows up later.

𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞
If you realize you claimed something incorrectly, fix it proactively by filing an amended return — preferably with a trusted tax professional. It’s always better to correct it early.

𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞
IRS Letter 6138 is a reminder — not a catastrophe.
It’s not an audit.
It doesn’t automatically mean you owe money.
It doesn’t prove your return is wrong.

If you receive this letter: don’t panic. Review, document, and stay proactive.