You got a letter from the IRS. Here is what it means.
Most IRS letters are not the emergency they feel like, and almost all of them have a deadline. This page explains what the common notices say, what to do in the first two days, and how we work a case. Read it before you pay anything.
What does the letter I received mean?
Find the notice number in the top right corner of the first page, then find it below.
CP14
Needs a replyThe first bill. The IRS says you have an unpaid balance for a tax year, with the amount and a due date.
CP2000
Needs a replyNot a bill. Income reported to the IRS by an employer or payer does not match your return, and the IRS is proposing a change. You can agree or disagree.
CP501 / CP503
Needs a replyReminders that a balance is still open. CP503 means an earlier notice went unanswered.
CP504
Time sensitiveNotice of intent to levy. The IRS states it may take your state tax refund and begin searching for other assets.
LT11 / Letter 1058
Time sensitiveFinal notice of intent to levy, and notice of your right to a Collection Due Process hearing. This one carries a strict deadline.
CP05
For your recordsYour return is under review and the refund is held while the IRS verifies income, withholding or credits.
5071C / 4883C
Needs a replyThe IRS needs to verify your identity before it finishes processing the return. Until you respond, nothing moves.
CP49
For your recordsYour refund was applied to a debt you already owed, in whole or in part. The notice shows where the money went.
CP12
For your recordsThe IRS corrected a math error on your return, so your refund is different from what you expected.
Your notice may not be on this list — the IRS uses many more. Bring it in and we will tell you what it is.
Find your notice and what to bring, step by stepWhat should I do in the first 48 hours?
Open it and find the deadline. Every notice prints a response date. That date, not the amount, is the thing that matters first.
Write down the notice number and the tax year. They are in the top right corner and they determine what the letter actually is.
Do not pay or sign anything yet. A CP2000 is a proposal, not a final bill, and signing it agrees to the change.
Keep the envelope and all pages. The postmark can matter, and the later pages usually explain how to respond.
The IRS opens by mail. A first contact by phone demanding immediate payment by gift card, wire or app is a scam — hang up.
Call us before the deadline runs. Bring the notice; you do not need to have an answer ready.
What documents do I need to bring?
Bring what you have. Missing a piece is normal and it does not stop us from starting — we can request most records from the IRS directly.
Please do not email Social Security numbers or bank details. Bring them to the office or we will send you a secure link.
- The notice itself — every page, not just the first
- Your filed return for the year in question
- W-2s, 1099s and any other income forms for that year
- Records backing up the deductions or credits being questioned
- Any earlier letters you sent or received about the same year
- Photo ID and your Social Security card or ITIN letter
- For a business: bank statements, ledgers and payroll reports
How do you work my case?
We read the notice and confirm the deadline
First we establish what the letter is, which year it covers and the date a response has to be in by.
We pull your IRS account transcript
The transcript shows what the IRS has on file for you, which is often different from what the notice alone suggests.
We compare the notice against your return
Line by line, so we can tell whether the IRS is right, partly right, or working from information that is not yours.
We agree with you on the response
Depending on what we find, that means agreeing with the change, disputing it with documentation, or amending the return.
We file the response and, if you want, Form 2848
Form 2848 is the power of attorney that lets us speak to the IRS directly about your case instead of you having to.
If a balance is confirmed, we go through your options
The IRS offers installment agreements, hardship status and offers in compromise. Which ones you qualify for is the IRS’s call — we explain each one and prepare what you decide to file.
What we will not promise you
Every outcome on an IRS case is decided by the IRS. Nobody outside it can promise you a number or a date, and you should treat anyone who does as a warning sign.
- We do not promise your balance will be reduced, or by how much.
- We do not promise you will qualify for an offer in compromise or any other program.
- We do not promise how long the IRS will take to answer.
- We do not promise penalties or interest will be removed.
What we do commit to: reading your notice properly, meeting the deadline on it, explaining your options in plain language, and telling you honestly when a case is outside what we handle.
Choose a Time That Works for You
Pick a date and time on our live calendar — in-person in Houston or virtual from any state.