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IRS Letters

IRS Letters: Understand What Your IRS Notice Means & What to Do

Letters from the IRS describe why they are contacting you and include guidance on how to handle the issue. The IRS usually sends out letters or notices if:

  • The IRS requires additional information regarding your tax return
  • There was an error or omission on your tax return, and an additional tax payment is required
  • There was an error, and you are owed a greater refund

The IRS assigns a number to every notice that leaves their office. Some notices come with a CP designation, which is at the top or the first page of the notice. A typical notice or letter will require some action on your part. After reviewing the information provided by the IRS, it is essential to compare the information received from the IRS to the information that you provided to them during the period in question. If there is a discrepancy, then this should be brought to their attention. When an error has been made and additional payment is required direct correspondence and payment can be submitted directly to the address on the notice.

Different Types of Letters from the IRS

Some of the more common letters from the IRS include:

A fountain pen
CP 88 – Delinquent Return Refund Hold

This notice is used to notify the taxpayer that the IRS is holding their tax refund because they have unfiled tax returns for a different year.

CP 501 – Reminder Notice – Balance Due

This is the first notice that you will receive from the IRS if you have an overdue account.

CP 503 – Second Request Notice – Balance Due

If the amount is not paid in full this is the 3rd and final notice before the IRS gets serious and start searching for assets to levy.

CP 504 – Final Notice & IRS Intends to Levy – Balance Due

If you have not paid the balance of your account you will receive a second notice.

CP 504 – Final Notice & IRS Intends to Levy – Balance Due

If you have not paid the balance of your account you will receive a second notice.

CP 88 – Delinquent Return Refund Hold

This notice is used to notify the taxpayer that the IRS is holding their tax refund because they have unfiled tax returns for a different year.

CP 501 – Reminder Notice – Balance Due

This is the first notice that you will receive from the IRS if you have an overdue account.

CP 503 – Second Request Notice – Balance Due

If the amount is not paid in full this is the 3rd and final notice before the IRS gets serious and start searching for assets to levy.

CP 504 – Final Notice & IRS Intends to Levy – Balance Due

If you have not paid the balance of your account you will receive a second notice.

CP 504 – Final Notice & IRS Intends to Levy – Balance Due

If you have not paid the balance of your account you will receive a second notice.

IRS Tax Debt Relief Forms

Common tax debt relief filings and forms. Tax Payment Options/IRS Installment Agreements

Relief form
Guaranteed Installment Agreement

  • Best option if you owe $10K or less
  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request

Streamlined Installment Agreement

  • Best option if you owe $10K or less
  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request

Verified Financial Statement Installment Agreement

  • Best option if you owe $10K or less
  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request
  • Appropriate Form 433: IRS Form 433-A or IRS Form 433-F: Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals or IRS Form 433-B: Collection Information Statement for Businesses

Partial Payment Installment Agreement

  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request
  • Appropriate Form 433: IRS Form 433-A or IRS Form 433-F: Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals or IRS Form 433-B: Collection Information Statement for Businesses

IRS Short-Term Payment Extension Due to Undue Hardship

  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request
  • Appropriate Form 433: IRS Form 433-A or IRS Form 433-F: Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals or IRS Form 433-B: Collection Information Statement for Businesses

Guaranteed Installment Agreement

  • Best option if you owe $10K or less
  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request

Streamlined Installment Agreement

  • Best option if you owe $10K or less
  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request

Verified Financial Statement Installment Agreement

  • Best option if you owe $10K or less
  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request
  • Appropriate Form 433: IRS Form 433-A or IRS Form 433-F: Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals or IRS Form 433-B: Collection Information Statement for Businesses

Partial Payment Installment Agreement

  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request
  • Appropriate Form 433: IRS Form 433-A or IRS Form 433-F: Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals or IRS Form 433-B: Collection Information Statement for Businesses

IRS Short-Term Payment Extension Due to Undue Hardship

  • IRS Form 9465 Installment Agreement Request
  • Appropriate Form 433: IRS Form 433-A or IRS Form 433-F: Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals or IRS Form 433-B: Collection Information Statement for Businesses

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    7 Secrets the IRS Doesn’t Want You To Know Mock Book Cover
    Se Habla Español
    7 Secrets the IRS Doesn’t Want You to Know book
    Se Habla Español
    free download
    Want to know what the IRS has been hiding?

    Going up against the IRS can be intimidating, which is why we’ve compiled our best tips in this free resource to help Americans protect themselves. Download the 7 Secrets today!

      free download
      Want to know what the IRS has been hiding?

      Going up against the IRS can be intimidating, which is why we’ve compiled our best tips in this free resource to help Americans protect themselves. Download the 7 Secrets today!

        7 Secrets the IRS Doesn’t Want You to Know book
        Se Habla Español
        7 Secrets the IRS Doesn’t Want You to Know book
        Se Habla Español
        free download
        Want to know what the IRS has been hiding?

        Going up against the IRS can be intimidating, which is why we’ve compiled our best tips in this free resource to help Americans protect themselves. Download the 7 Secrets today!

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