IRS Notice CP09: What It Means and What to Do
The IRS thinks you might qualify for the Earned Income Credit (EIC), a credit for people who work and have earned income, but you didn't claim it. The notice includes a worksheet (Form 15111) so you can check. If you qualify and send it back, you may get extra refund money.
CP09 key facts
| Official name | CP09: You may be eligible for the Earned Income Credit but didn't claim it on your tax return. |
|---|---|
| Who gets it | Individuals |
| Severity | 2 of 5: Low: check it and respond if asked It's an optional review that may increase your refund; nothing is owed and nothing happens if you don't qualify. |
| Response window | The IRS page says you can send your documents using the Documentation Upload Tool "within 30 days from the date of this notice." If you're eligible, mail the signed worksheet in the envelope provided with your notice. |
| Deadline basis | Counted from the date printed on the notice. |
Severity is RAHA Financials' own 1 to 5 rating of how urgent the notice usually is. It is not an IRS classification.
How long do I have to respond to a CP09?
30 days from the notice date. Enter the date printed on your CP09 to see your respond-by date.
The date printed on your notice always controls. Open CP09 in the IRS Notice Decoder.
Why did I get a CP09?
Common reasons include:
- You had earned income and a qualifying child but didn't claim the Earned Income Credit
- You weren't aware of the credit or thought you didn't qualify
- Tax software or a preparer left the credit off your return
- You left the EIC line blank instead of claiming the credit or writing 'No'
What should I do?
- Read your CP09 notice carefully.
- Complete the Earned Income Credit worksheet on Form 15111 that came with your notice (the IRS lists versions for tax years 2025 and 2024).
- If the worksheet shows you're eligible, sign it and mail it in the envelope provided with your notice.
- Or send your documents online using the Documentation Upload Tool within 30 days from the date of the notice, using the access code on your notice.
- If the worksheet shows you're not eligible, don't return Form 15111.
- Review Publication 596, Earned Income Credit, if you're unsure about the rules.
What documents do I need?
- The CP09 notice and the Form 15111 worksheet
- A copy of your tax return for the year on the notice
- Birth certificates or Social Security cards for any qualifying children
- Records showing your child lived with you (school, medical, or lease records)
- Your W-2s or other proof of earned income
What should I avoid?
- Don't return Form 15111 if the worksheet shows you're not eligible.
- Don't guess on the worksheet; check the rules in Publication 596.
- Don't wait too long if you plan to use the Documentation Upload Tool; the IRS says to use it within 30 days of the notice date.
What if I disagree with a CP09?
There's nothing to dispute; the notice is an invitation to claim a credit. If you don't qualify, simply don't return the worksheet. If you send the worksheet and the IRS denies the credit, the IRS says it will send you a letter of explanation.
What happens if I ignore a CP09?
The IRS page doesn't describe any penalty for not responding. If you are eligible and don't respond, you may miss out on a credit and refund you could have received.
What else should I know about CP09?
CP09 is one of the few IRS notices that can put money in your pocket. It's sent when your return suggests you may have a qualifying child for the Earned Income Credit but you didn't claim it. The worksheet decides whether you respond. If Form 15111 shows you're not eligible, the IRS says not to send it back. There's no penalty for staying silent. If you are eligible, the IRS says it will generally mail a refund check in 6-8 weeks, unless the refund goes toward tax or other debts it must collect. The IRS also says you can write 'EIC' on your return's EIC line, complete Schedule EIC, and attach it to have the IRS figure the credit for you on future returns.
Want a professional to handle your CP09 response?
IRS Notice Response Plan
Fixed price, quoted before any work startsFixed fee.
- Review of your notice and account transcript
- A written plan: agree, partly agree, or dispute
- Draft response and list of supporting documents
- Deadline tracking so nothing lapses
CP09: frequently asked questions
What is the Earned Income Credit?
The IRS describes it as a credit for certain people who work and have earned income. It may give you a refund even if you don't owe any tax.
If I'm eligible, when will I get my refund?
The IRS says it will mail you a refund check in 6-8 weeks if you don't owe tax or other debts it's required to collect. If you don't hear back after 8 weeks, the IRS page lists a toll-free line you can call to check the status.
What if the IRS decides I don't qualify?
The IRS says that if it denies the credit, it will send you a letter of explanation.
What if the worksheet shows I'm not eligible?
The IRS says not to return Form 15111.
How can I avoid this next year?
Claim the credit if you're eligible. The IRS says you can also ask it to figure the credit for you by writing 'EIC' on the EIC line, completing Schedule EIC, and attaching it to your return. Write 'No' on the EIC line if you don't want or don't qualify for the credit.
