The IRS is launching one of its most impactful modernization tools yet: a digital notice portal that allows taxpayers to view certain IRS letters online before the paper copy arrives.
For anyone facing a CP05 notice (the 60-day income and withholding verification review), this is a game-changer.

A CP05 normally arrives by mail and delays your refund immediately. But with the new portal, you may see the notice days earlier, giving you the chance to respond electronically and potentially shorten the delay.

Here is everything you need to know about using the IRS Notice Portal to find your CP05 faster and respond immediately.

What Is the IRS Notice Portal?

The IRS Notice Portal is a new feature within your IRS Online Account that provides:

• Digital delivery of key IRS notices
• Instant viewing of correspondence without waiting for mail
• Secure access to CP series letters as soon as the IRS issues them
• Faster response options, including document upload

This modernization removes one of the biggest refund bottlenecks: waiting for the notice to arrive before you can take action.

Why This Matters for CP05 Notices

A CP05 notice triggers:

• A mandatory 60-day freeze
• Verification of income, withholding, or credits
• A pause on your refund until the IRS completes the review

Paper notices often take 7–14 days to reach taxpayers.
Those days count against your refund timeline.

With the digital portal, taxpayers can:

• See a CP05 notice the same day it is issued
• Upload requested documents immediately
• Avoid mail delays that add weeks to processing
• Potentially shorten the review period

This is the fastest way to get ahead of a refund freeze.

How to Access Your CP05 Notice Online

Step 1: Log in to your IRS Online Account

Go to: IRS.gov → Sign In to Your Online Account

Use your ID.me credentials to verify your identity.

Step 2: Go to the “Notices & Letters” Section

This new section will list:

• CP05
• CP05A
• CP05B
• CP09
• CP12
• Identity letters (like 5071C or 6331C)
• Any newly issued correspondence

If a CP05 was mailed, it should appear digitally as well.

Step 3: Open the Digital CP05 Notice

You will see:

• The reason for the review
• The tax year involved
• Verification steps you must complete
• Whether documents are needed

Step 4: Respond Digitally (If Available)

Some notices now support:

• Secure document upload
• Direct digital responses
• Confirmation receipts

This cuts response time from weeks to minutes.

Why Digital Notices Are Faster Than Mail

Paper-based correspondence is slow for three reasons:

1. Mailing delay: 7–14 days
2. Return mailing delay: 7–14 days
3. IRS mailroom scanning delay: 14–21 days

This adds up to 30–45 days of unnecessary waiting.

Digital portal benefits:

• No mailing time
• No scanning delay
• No lost or delayed letters
• Timestamp verification that the IRS received your documents

This is one of the few ways to meaningfully speed up a CP05-related refund hold.

When You Should Check the Portal

Experts recommend checking your Notice Portal if:

• Your transcript shows TC 971 (Notice Issued)
• WMR switches to “Your return is still being processed”
• It has been more than 21 days with no update
• You suspect a wage mismatch or withholding issue

You may find the notice online before you ever see it in your mailbox.

Who Benefits Most From Digital CP05 Access

The digital portal is especially helpful for:

• Early filers
• Taxpayers with multiple W-2s
• Gig workers
• Workers whose employers filed W-2 or withholding data late
• Anyone with a history of CP05, CP12, or 5071C notices

If your refund is at risk of a verification hold, early digital access is crucial.

What CP05 Notices Usually Mean

A CP05 indicates the IRS needs more time to confirm:

• W-2 wages
• Withholding amounts
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) claims
• Child Tax Credit (CTC) claims
• Other refundable credits

It does not always mean you owe money or that a mistake was made—it simply means the IRS is verifying your information before releasing your refund.

The new IRS Notice Portal makes it possible to see your CP05 notice days or even weeks earlier than waiting for the mail.
This early access gives you:

• Faster response capability
• Reduced hold time
• Full visibility into your refund delay
• Immediate digital upload options

If your refund is taking longer than expected, checking the digital notice portal should be your first step.