The 10 Most Common IRS Tax Notices
What are the 10 Most Common IRS Tax Notices?
The IRS’s job is to ensure everyone pays their fair share of taxes. If you become delinquent on your taxes or fail to pay the correct amount, you can expect to receive notification of your tax obligation.
When you receive a notice from the IRS, you must understand the communication and act accordingly. You can avoid running afoul of the IRS by understanding the ten most common notices it sends out each year.
What are the 10 Most Common IRS Tax Notices? A brief explanation.
CP501/CP502
Two of the most common notices sent out, a CP501 or CP502 notice, alert you that you have a past-due tax obligation. When you get this notification, it should tell you essential facts about your tax debt, such as
The amount that you owe
- The year from which you owe this tax debt
- How much interest you can expect to accrue on the total obligation
- The due date by which you must pay the tax liability
If you fail to pay, the agency could take actions like:
- Garnishing your paychecks
- Seizing assets like your car or real estate
- Putting a lien on your future tax refunds
- Tax levies against other property
Once the IRS begins collecting on your past due amount, it will continue to do so until the debt is paid in full. This process could take years, leaving you without assets and money that you may need for your household or corporate budget.
You may be able to make an offer of compromise or work out a payment agreement that you can afford. You can also benefit by hiring a tax professional to negotiate on your behalf.
CP71C
A CP71C notification reminds you of a tax debt that you may have overlooked for several years. Sometimes, the IRS will allow taxpayers several years to pay off their debts entirely. However, if you have not made any payments or contacted the agency to work out an arrangement, you may receive this notice in the mail.
CP503
Considered another form of the second notification, a CP503 alerts you that you have about ten days to remit payment in full. Once you receive this notice, you must pay the debt in full or contact the agency to work out a payment agreement or compromise.
CP 504
The CP504 notice is your last alert to your tax debt. You should consider this letter warning that the IRS is preparing to garnish your income or seize your tax refund. In addition, this levy could impact your future state or federal refund until the debt is paid in full.
CP 521
If you fail to or cannot keep up with your payment agreement, you will receive a CP521 notice. This notice tells you officially that you defaulted on your installment agreement. It also means you:
- How much money you still owe
- How much interest has been accrued
- The date that you must remit payment in full
- Any penalties or cancellation terms for the agreement
CP 523
This notification comes after you break your payment agreement and the IRS plans to garnish your wages or seize assets. To avoid these consequences, you should acknowledge the letter by contacting the IRS. The agency may allow you to set up the payments again if you pay a penalty fee for breaking the first agreement.
Letter 1058
Letter 1058 is the final notice of the IRS’ intent to levy. It also reminds you that the agency has the right to search for other assets like bank accounts that it can seize to pay the obligation.
CP90/CP297
This letter also alerts you to impending levies and garnishments. It may demand payment in full within 30 days. It should also tell you how to file Form 12153 and request an appeal hearing.
Letter 3172
Letter 3172 lets you know that the IRS is seizing your assets and property. It stipulates that the agency has the right to sell those assets and use the money to satisfy the debt. It reminds you that your debt cannot be discharged by filing bankruptcy.
Letter 668D
Letter 668D is a release of a levy, indicating that the debt has been satisfied. It also is sent after the time limit has expired for the IRS to collect on a debt or if the agency made a mistake in garnishing you. The letter is also sent to your employer, bank, and other financial institutions.
These notices may be sent to you if you have an outstanding tax obligation. If you receive such a notice, you should be prepared to act accordingly to protect your finances and assets.
Contact our firm today if you have any tax trouble or owe more than $10k to the IRS or state but can’t pay in full. We help people find tax relief. Contact us today for help, https://thetaxreliefco.com/contact/.