An IRS letter can feel urgent even when the first useful step is simple: read the entire notice, mark the date, identify the tax year, and collect the records that match the issue.
Defend Against IRS is an independent educational library. It is not a law firm, accounting firm, tax resolution company, or government agency. The pages are built to help readers prepare better questions and verify official instructions before responding.
For large balances, business taxes, levy action, Tax Court deadlines, possible fraud concerns, or records you do not understand, do not rely on a web page alone. Consider help from a tax attorney, enrolled agent, certified public accountant, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, or Taxpayer Advocate resource.
Choose the problem in front of you
CP14, CP2000, CP504, LT11, 90-day letters, levy notices, lien notices, and identity-verification letters.
Tax debt, wage levy, bank levy, federal lien, hardship, payment records, and collection appeal questions.
Mail audits, office audits, field audits, document requests, interviews, and record indexes.
Payment plans, offer in compromise, penalty relief, hardship status, spouse relief, and current compliance.
Form 941, employment deposits, trust fund recovery penalty, business levies, and owner risk.
State and city pages for organizing federal tax records before asking for personal help.
First principles before you respond
- Read every page of the letter, including the page that explains response or appeal rights.
- Confirm the tax year, notice date, response date, and requested action before calling or mailing anything.
- Keep copies of records and note how each record supports the return, payment history, or dispute.
- Be cautious with anyone who promises a specific tax result before reviewing the full file.
Official places to verify details
IRS rules, form instructions, mailing addresses, program terms, and deadlines can change. Use these official pages to check the current version before mailing forms, making payments, or letting a response date pass.