U.S. · IRS notices
IRS CP63 notice, refund held for missing return.
What the IRS says this notice is, what it asks, and where to respond.
CP63 (printed by the IRS as CP63): The IRS is holding your refund because its records show you still have not filed one or more tax returns, and it believes you will owe additional tax. Deadline as printed by the IRS: The page says to file immediately. It prints no calendar deadline; check the notice itself.
Look up a part of the CP63 page
Result
What the IRS says about the CP63 notice
| Topic | What the IRS page says |
|---|---|
| What it is | The IRS is holding your refund because its records show you still have not filed one or more tax returns, and it believes you will owe additional tax. |
| What it asks | File your tax return immediately, or explain to the IRS why you are filing late, why you do not have to file, or that you have already filed. |
| Deadline as printed | The page says to file immediately. It prints no calendar deadline; check the notice itself. |
| Where to respond | Call the toll-free number on your notice (have your paperwork ready), or write to the address on your notice. |
| If you disagree | Call the toll-free number on your notice, or write to the address on the notice. The page says this applies if you disagree, did not file, or it has been more than eight weeks since you filed. |
| If you do not respond | The page says the IRS will continue to hold your refund until it hears from you. If it determines you owe tax on any return you file, it may use all or part of your refund to help pay it. |
| Just filed | The IRS page says you do not have to do anything if you filed your return(s) within the last eight weeks. |
| Refund release | The IRS can release your refund once it has received all past due returns, or an explanation showing you did not have to file for those years. |
| Cannot pay in full | The page says you may qualify for a payment plan and can apply for one online. |
Check your own notice
This page restates the IRS web page for the notice number printed as CP63. Dates, amounts, tax years and the phone number or address that apply to you are printed on your notice, not on the IRS web page. If your notice number is different from this one, use the page for that number. If you are unsure a notice is real, the IRS contact information on the notice is the starting point; this page does not verify any notice.
IRS reference tools listed for this notice
The IRS page lists: Publication 1 (Your Rights as a Taxpayer), Get Transcript, Publication 4681, Publication 505.
More IRS notice pages
Other notices explained in this set: IRS CP523 notice, IRS CP53 notice, IRS CP59 notice, IRS CP74 notice, IRS CP60 notice, IRS CP521 notice, IRS CP88 notice, IRS CP52 notice, IRS CP76 notice, IRS CP77 notice.
Sources
- IRS: Understanding your CP63 notice: every statement in the table above. Read November 2, 2026.
The IRS may update its notice pages. Wording here is summarized from the page as read on the date above. Not tax, legal or financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CP63 notice?
According to the IRS, it means your refund is being held because the IRS records show you have not filed one or more tax returns and it believes you will owe additional tax.
What does the IRS ask me to do after a CP63?
File your tax return immediately or explain why you are filing late, why you do not have to file, or that you already filed.
When will my CP63 refund be released?
The IRS page says it will keep holding the refund until it hears from you, and can release it when it has received all past due returns or an explanation that you did not have to file.
How do I respond to a CP63?
Call the toll-free number on the notice, or write to the address on the notice.
Can the IRS use my refund to pay tax I owe?
The IRS page says that if it determines you owe tax on any return you file, it may use all or part of your refund to help pay it.
Not tax advice
This page summarizes an IRS web page and is not tax, legal or financial advice, and it does not describe your account. A CPA, an enrolled agent or the IRS can confirm what your notice means for you. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.