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Got a letter from the IRS? What it means and what to do

Take a breath. I've read thousands of these letters in 30 years of doing taxes. Most can be fixed, and the first step is just knowing which one you have.

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Find the notice number. It's in the top or bottom right corner of the letter (like CP14 or LT11). Then find it below.

How serious is it?

Heads up Read it and answer by the due date. Act soon Don't let it sit. Urgent A hard deadline or a levy is coming. Call today.

Jump to your letter

CP14 · Heads up
CP501 · Heads up
CP503 · Act soon
CP504 · Urgent
LT11 or Letter 1058 · Urgent
CP90 or CP297 · Urgent
LT16 · Act soon
CP2000 · Act soon
CP3219A · Urgent
Letter 5071C · Act soon
CP71 · Act soon
Is it really the IRS?

Bills and reminders

CP14 Heads up

Balance due, first notice

What it is: The IRS says you owe tax that wasn't paid. This is usually the first bill.
Deadline: The due date printed on the notice.
What to do: Read it and check the numbers. Pay by the due date if it's right, or set up a payment plan if you can't pay it all. If you disagree, call the number on the notice.

CP501 Heads up

Reminder: you still owe

What it is: A reminder that the balance is still unpaid and the IRS hasn't heard back from you.
Deadline: The due date on the notice.
What to do: Same as the CP14: pay, set up a payment plan, or call if you disagree. Don't let this one sit.

CP503 Act soon

Second reminder

What it is: Your second reminder. The IRS still hasn't received a payment or a reply.
Deadline: The due date on the notice.
What to do: Now is the time to respond. Pay, ask for a payment plan, or call the number on the notice if something's wrong.

Levy warnings

CP504 Urgent

Notice of Intent to Levy

What it is: The IRS says it intends to levy if you don't pay. It can take your state tax refund, and it warns about wages, bank accounts and other property.
Deadline: Pay the amount due right away, per the notice.
What to do: Call me or the IRS now. Pay, or work out a payment plan. If you disagree, the notice explains how to appeal.

LT11 or Letter 1058 Urgent

Final Notice of Intent to Levy and your right to a hearing

What it is: The IRS's final notice before it can levy your wages, bank accounts and other property. It also tells you about your right to a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing.
Deadline: 30 days from the date of the letter to request a CDP hearing (IRS Form 12153).
What to do: Do not wait. Pay, set up a payment plan, or request the hearing within 30 days if you disagree. Keep proof of the date you mailed anything.

CP90 or CP297 Urgent

Final notice of intent to levy and your right to a hearing

What it is: Another final notice that the IRS intends to levy certain assets. It also explains your right to a Collection Due Process hearing.
Deadline: 30 days from the date of the notice to request a CDP hearing (Form 12153).
What to do: Treat it like an LT11: act now and watch that 30-day date.

LT16 Act soon

Please contact us

What it is: The IRS is trying to collect unpaid tax and/or says returns are missing. If you don't act, it can lead to enforcement, like a levy or a federal tax lien.
Deadline: Follow the instructions and dates on the notice.
What to do: File any missing returns, pay what you can, and set up a payment plan for the rest. You need to be current on filing to get a payment plan.

Changes to your return and identity checks

CP2000 Act soon

Proposed change: income doesn't match

What it is: What you reported doesn't match what employers, banks or others reported to the IRS. It is not a bill. The change may raise your tax, lower it, or make no difference.
Deadline: Reply by the date listed on the notice.
What to do: Compare it to your records. Fill out and sign the response form, say whether you agree or disagree, and send proof. If you don't reply, the IRS may send a bill.

CP3219A Urgent

Notice of Deficiency

What it is: The IRS's formal proposed change to your tax, based on information from others. It is not a bill or an audit, but it starts the clock to challenge the change in U.S. Tax Court.
Deadline: 90 days. The last day to file a Tax Court petition is printed on the notice, and the IRS can't extend it.
What to do: Reply right away. Agree with Form 5564, or send your proof if you disagree. If you want Tax Court, file by the date on the notice.

Letter 5071C Act soon

Verify your identity

What it is: A tax return was filed under your Social Security number, and the IRS needs to confirm it was really you before it processes it.
Deadline: Follow the instructions on the letter. Your return waits until you verify.
What to do: If you filed, verify at irs.gov/verifyreturn with the return and your tax papers. If you didn't file, say so. You may be a victim of identity theft.

Ongoing balance reminders

CP71 Act soon

Reminder of a balance you still owe

What it is: A reminder that you still have an unpaid balance. It also explains that a passport can be denied or revoked for seriously delinquent tax debt.
Deadline: Pay as soon as you can. Interest keeps adding up.
What to do: Pay what you can and set up a payment plan for the rest. If money is very tight, ask about hardship options.

Is it really the IRS?

The IRS usually starts by mail. The first contact normally comes by U.S. mail, not a phone call, text or email.
The IRS never contacts you by social media or text unless you signed up for texts.
Red flags: a call, email or text that's unexpected, rushes you, threatens you, asks for personal or financial information, or demands payment right now.
Never pay with gift cards. Gift card demands are a scam.
Check it yourself. Look up the notice number on irs.gov (search "IRS notices and letters"), or sign in to your IRS Online Account at irs.gov. Use the phone number on irs.gov or on a real notice, not one from a caller.

My three rules for any IRS letter

Open it. Ignoring it only adds penalties and interest.
Circle the date. The deadline is what matters most.
Keep a copy of the letter and anything you send back, with proof of the date you mailed it.

What happens when you call

Calling about the IRS can feel scary. It doesn't have to be. Here's what happens:

A free, private call with me. You talk to me, Kathleen, not a call center. Tell me what's going on, at your own pace. No judgment, and no obligation.
I look at your IRS letters. I read what the IRS sent you and figure out where you really stand: what you owe, for which years, and what's coming next.
You get a clear plan. I lay out your options and next steps in plain English, so you know exactly what to do and you're not guessing anymore.

I named this business for my late husband, Steve, a CWO5 in the U.S. Marine Corps. He taught me to show up, pay attention to the details, and never leave anyone to face a hard thing alone. After 30 years in taxes, that's how I treat every person who calls me.

Not sure what your letter means? Let's look at it together.

Free call. Plain answers. Nampa, Idaho. Helping clients nationwide.

Call (208) 614-1965 Free Consultation

Related help

Sources: IRS.gov "Understanding your notice or letter" pages, "How to know it's the IRS," and Collection Due Process FAQs. Always go by the dates printed on your own notice.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Leatherneck Bookkeeping is not a law firm and does not represent clients before the IRS. Results depend on your facts and IRS rules; no outcome is guaranteed.