It's in your mailbox. An envelope from the IRS.
Your stomach drops. You set it on the counter. Maybe you move it to a drawer. Maybe the drawer stays closed for a few weeks.
Seems like avoiding it feels safer than knowing what's in it.
It isn't.
Here's the most important thing to understand about an IRS notice: it has a deadline. And that deadline doesn't stop because you didn't open the letter.
Here's what to do — step by step.
Not tomorrow. Today.
The IRS assigns response deadlines to nearly every notice they send. Missing a deadline eliminates options. It can turn a manageable situation into a levy, a lien, or a default judgment.
Open it. Read it. Breathe.
Every IRS notice has a number in the upper right corner — something like CP2000, CP14, LT11, or Notice 1058. That number tells you exactly what the IRS is saying and how urgent the situation is.
Here are the most common notices and what they mean:
CP14 — You Have a Balance Due The IRS believes you owe money. This is the first notice in their collection sequence. You have 60 days to respond before escalation begins.
CP2000 — Proposed Changes to Your Return The IRS received income information (1099s, W-2s) that doesn't match what you reported. They're proposing an adjustment. This is not an audit — it's a discrepancy notice. You can agree, partially agree, or dispute it.
CP503 / CP504 — Second and Final Balance Due Notices The IRS is escalating. A CP504 is particularly serious — it's the final notice before levy action begins. Do not ignore this.
LT11 / Notice 1058 — Final Notice of Intent to Levy This is the IRS telling you a levy is coming. You have 30 days to request a Collection Due Process hearing — which pauses the levy while you pursue resolution. This deadline is critical.
CP90 — Notice of Intent to Seize Assets Similar to LT11. The IRS intends to seize property. The 30-day window to request a hearing applies here too.
Letter 531 — Notice of Deficiency The IRS has determined you owe additional tax from an audit or review. You have 90 days to petition the Tax Court. Missing this deadline means the assessment becomes final.
LT16 — Please Contact Us Often assigned to accounts with multiple issues. Less urgent than levy notices, but still requires a timely response.
This sounds counterintuitive. It isn't.
When you call the IRS unprepared, you may provide information that harms your position. IRS representatives are not there to help you find the best resolution — they're there to collect. Every statement you make is part of your record.
If your notice involves a balance due, a proposed assessment, or a levy — have a professional review the situation before you make contact.
We say this twice because it's that important.
Ignoring an IRS notice doesn't make it go away. It makes it worse. The IRS has a systematic escalation process:
Notice → Second notice → Final notice → Levy action → Asset seizure
Every step in that chain narrows your options and increases your balance. The clients who call us at the first notice have the most choices. The ones who call us at the levy stage have fewer.
If you decide to handle the notice yourself, respond in writing, certified mail, return receipt. Keep a copy of everything. Reference the notice number. Be specific.
If you're disputing a CP2000, attach documentation that supports your position. Don't just say "this is wrong" — show them why.
If you can't pay a CP14 balance, don't ignore it. Call the IRS and set up an installment agreement, or explore whether you qualify for currently-not-collectible status.
You should not handle the situation alone if:
In any of these situations — especially the last one — the cost of getting it wrong is significantly higher than the cost of professional help.
We review your notice, pull your IRS transcripts, and tell you exactly what you're dealing with — before you respond to anything.
We identify every resolution option, represent you before the IRS, and handle all communication on your behalf. You stop getting their mail. We start getting it instead.
The first conversation is free.
Summit Tax Services works with a team of licensed tax attorneys and enrolled agents (EAs) for IRS representation matters. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.