Start with a notice
I got an IRS penalty notice: what should I check first?
Use this if you have a notice in hand and need the full ordered route through notice facts, transcripts, dates, and notice-response versus claim decisions.
Open this pathStep-by-step guides
Follow the path that matches what is happening on your file.
These pages are not just narrower guides. They are structured routes for the most common situations where people know the problem family but still need the right order of operations.
Best use
Use these when you want a full sequence, not just one narrow answer page.
Current guides
Notice, post-filing, and business / closed-business step-by-step guides.
Why this exists
To help you choose the next guide in the right order instead of jumping between disconnected pages.
Choose the path that matches the file you have
After filing
I already filed Form 843: what happens next and what should I do now?
Use this if the claim was already mailed and you need the next route for waiting, information requests, denial, approval, supplement, or proof issues.
Open this pathBusiness cases
This is a business or closed-business IRS penalty file: what should I sort first?
Use this if the file is entity-heavy, payroll-heavy, authority-heavy, or closed-business heavy and you need the route sequence before choosing a narrower page.
Open this pathWhen to use a step-by-step guide instead of a narrower guide
Use a step-by-step guide
When you know the problem family but still need the sequence of questions and the right order for the narrower guides.
Use a narrower guide
When one page already matches the exact problem and you do not need an ordered overview first.
If you are still not sure which path fits, use the broader Penalty claim guides hub first.