Notice library · 16 guides
Decode any IRS notice.
What each notice means, the deadline you face, the consequences of ignoring it, and the exact next move — written and reviewed by senior tax attorneys.
- Attorney-reviewed30+ yrs in IRS controversy
- Deadlines that bite30, 21, 10-day windows mapped
- Consequences explainedLevies, liens, garnishments
Final Notice of Intent to Levy
This is the absolute final warning. The IRS will begin seizing your wages, bank accounts, and property within 30 days.
90-Day Letter
This is your legal right to challenge the IRS in Tax Court before paying. Miss this deadline and you lose that right.
Final Notice of Intent to Levy & Right to Hearing
CP90 (individuals) and CP297 (businesses) are the IRS's statutory Final Notice of Intent to Levy. After 30 days the IRS can legally seize wages, bank accounts, retirement funds, and Social Security payments.
Intent to Levy Notice
This is a final notice before the IRS seizes your assets. They intend to levy (take) your state tax refund and may seize other assets.
Passport Certification Notice
The IRS has certified your seriously delinquent tax debt to the State Department. Your passport may be denied or revoked.
Intent to Default Installment Agreement
The IRS is about to terminate your installment agreement because you missed payments or didn't file required returns.
Unfiled Tax Return Notice
The IRS has no record of your federal tax return for a prior year and is asking you to file it. CP59 is the IRS's first formal step toward filing a Substitute for Return (SFR) on your behalf — which almost always overstates what you owe.
Annual Reminder of Balance Due (Passport Warning)
CP71C is an annual statement that you still owe back taxes and warns that the debt may be certified as 'seriously delinquent' — which can lead to passport denial or revocation by the State Department.
Balance Due Notice
This is the IRS's first notice telling you that you owe taxes. It shows the amount due, including any penalties and interest.
Underreported Income Notice
The IRS believes you didn't report all your income. They've received information (W-2s, 1099s) that doesn't match your return.
Audit Notice
You're being audited. The IRS wants to examine specific items on your tax return and is requesting documentation.
Second Reminder Notice
This is the second reminder that you owe taxes. The IRS is escalating their collection efforts.
Adjustment to Business Tax Account
CP210 (and the related CP220) notifies a business that the IRS has adjusted its tax account — typically a math correction, a credit transfer, or a penalty assessment on a payroll or business return. The notice shows the adjusted balance and may demand additional tax, penalties, and interest.
Income Information Doesn't Match (Pre-CP2000)
CP2501 is the IRS's first letter telling you third-party income data (W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, 1099-NECs) doesn't match what you reported. It's the prelude to a CP2000 adjustment if you don't respond.
Reminder Notice
A reminder that you have a balance due. This is a follow-up to the initial CP14 notice.
Refund Applied to Back Taxes
Notice CP49 tells you the IRS used all or part of your tax refund to pay an old federal tax debt. If anything is left, you'll get it; if you still owe, the notice shows the remaining balance.
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Service areas that resolve IRS notices
Criminal Tax Issues
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Tax Resolution Services
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IRS Collections Defense
When the IRS stops asking and starts taking — there's a legal counter to every move.
Additional Tax Services
Specialty tax matters — bankruptcy, foreign accounts, estate planning, payroll, gambling, and more.
Related resources
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IRS Forms Library
Filing instructions for the forms most notices ask for.
Tax Glossary
Definitions for CP, LT, CDP, ACS, and every other acronym in your letter.
Notice Lookup Tool
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Tax FAQ
Plain-English answers to the questions every notice triggers.
Tax Blog
Recent writing on enforcement trends and how to respond.
Case Results
See how notices like yours were resolved.
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