 scale(0.75)'%3E%3Crect x='6' y='14' width='52' height='36' rx='4' fill='%23e9dcbc' stroke='%2322262b' stroke-width='3'/%3E%3Cpath d='M8 17l24 18 24-18' fill='none' stroke='%2322262b' stroke-width='3' stroke-linejoin='round'/%3E%3Ccircle cx='46' cy='40' r='9' fill='none' stroke='%239c2f22' stroke-width='2.5'/%3E%3Cpath d='M40 40h12' stroke='%239c2f22' stroke-width='2'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3Ctext x='58' y='33' font-family='Rockwell, Georgia, serif' font-weight='700' font-size='24' fill='%2322262b'%3EIRS Letters and Forms%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Notice code 162 (Default) — We changed the amount of total tax on page 2 of your tax return. The error was in the: Computation o…
What this IRS notice code means, and what to check before you reply.
What to do next
Start with these steps before you reply.
162
Read the notice carefully and note any deadline. Gather returns, notices, and payment records. Book a free strategy session before responding if the amount is large, unclear, or collection language appears.
What the IRS language says
We changed the amount of total tax on page 2 of your tax return. The error was in the: Computation of the total amount in Part III, Form 8889, Income and Additional Tax for Failure to Maintain HDHP and/or Transfer of that amount on to page 2 of Form 1040.
What it usually means
162 is in our IR Manual catalog. Official wording is dense — we translate it for business owners and individuals and map realistic next steps.
Related
Find another letter
Every notice in this library, sorted the way the IRS numbers them.