Understand what the IRS is asking before treating every letter as the same problem. Get help discussing the notice, the amount owed, and payment or relief options that may need review.
Identify what is known
If you are unsure whether a return was filed, explain what records you have rather than assuming that a prepared copy proves submission. Past-due filing questions and a balance already shown by the IRS may require different follow-up.
Discuss the information needed
Ask which tax years require attention and what income or other records would be useful. Filing a past-due return can be important even when full payment is not possible. The relevant filing requirements and payment questions should be discussed separately.
Keep the work understandable
A proposal should explain whether it includes return preparation, account review, notice response, or payment assistance. Ask what remains your responsibility and how missing information will be handled. Keep copies of submissions and relevant confirmation.
Practical questions for your discussion
A shared return inventory should distinguish people, years, and evidence types. Those labels make the file inspectable without assuming a filing relationship or tax treatment from the way it is stored.
Ask a preparer what evidence is needed for the shared question and what individual review remains. Confirm the purpose and recipient before sharing documents. The inventory records availability and gaps, not completed filing or agreed service responsibility. Retain the version actually supplied so follow-up refers to the same evidence.
Read the current official instructions: IRS guidance on past-due returns.