IRS inquiry on missing 2018 Form 1096

[chc93]

We file 1099-R's electronically through the IRS FIRE system.  As far as we know, there is no actual Form 1096 for this process.

In the last couple of days, 2 separate clients received the same letter from the IRS stating that they can't process any of the information returns because they're incomplete or not in the required format (lists 1096, 1098, 1099,, 5498, and "certain other information returns").

Then the letter goes on to say that there was not a 1096 included in the submission.

Strange thing is that the letter starts off by saying "Thank you for the inquiry dated Feb. 11, 2019".  But we filed electronically on Mar 20, 2019. No one knows who made an inquiry to the IRS on Feb 11.

Anyone else get these?

Thanks...