Got an IRS letter?
IRS Notices Explained for Houston and Sugar Land Taxpayers
Find the notice number in the top or bottom right corner of your letter, then look it up below. Each row tells you what the IRS is saying, what to do and how long you have.
What does my IRS notice mean?
Balance-due notices follow a set sequence, though you may not receive every one: CP14, then the CP501 and CP503 reminders, then CP504, then the final LT11 or Letter 1058. The further along you are, the fewer options stay open, so find your latest letter first.
| Notice | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| CP14 IRS page | You have a balance due on unpaid taxes. | Pay by the date on the notice, or set up a payment plan. Interest accrues on any amount unpaid after that date. |
| CP501 IRS page | A reminder: the IRS has not received payment or a reply to its earlier notice. | Pay or arrange a plan. If you do nothing, the IRS can file a notice of federal tax lien. |
| CP503 IRS page | The second reminder that you still owe. | Same as CP501, with less time left. You can ask for a Collection Appeals Program appeal before collection action. |
| CP504 IRS page | Notice of Intent to Levy under IRC section 6331(d). The IRS can levy your state tax refund and begin looking for other assets. | Pay or call immediately. The next step is the final notice, which carries your right to a hearing. CP504 also explains passport certification for seriously delinquent tax debt. |
| LT11 / Letter 1058 IRS page | Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing. | You have 30 days to request a Collection Due Process hearing on Form 12153. After that, wages, bank accounts and other property can be levied. |
| Letter 3172 IRS page | A notice of federal tax lien has been filed, with your right to a hearing. | You have 30 days from the letter to request a Collection Due Process hearing about the lien. |
| CP2000 IRS page | Income reported by employers or banks does not match your return. It proposes changes and is not a bill. | Reply by the date on the notice, agreeing or disagreeing with documents. If you do not reply, a bill can follow. |
| CP3219N IRS page | Notice of Deficiency after the IRS prepared a return for a year you did not file. | You have 90 days to file your own return or petition the Tax Court, and you cannot get an extension. |
What should I do the day the letter arrives?
- Read the whole notice and write down the response or payment date.
- Check the balance against your IRS Online Account.
- If you agree and can pay, pay. If you cannot, ask for a payment plan before the date on the notice.
- If you disagree, call the number on the notice with your paperwork ready, or reply in writing as the notice asks.
- If the notice is an LT11, Letter 1058 or CP3219N, treat the deadline as fixed and get help this week.
Can someone deal with the IRS for me?
Yes. With Form 2848 you authorize an eligible representative to act for you and see your tax information. For collection notices, that person needs unlimited representation rights: an enrolled agent, a CPA or an attorney.
Tax Solution Pro Advisor is led by a Texas CPA (credentials) and handles wage levies, payment plans and settlements and audits. If your notice is about a balance you cannot pay, our relief options comparison shows what each route costs, and Currently Not Collectible status explained covers the hardship option in detail.
Low income? A Low Income Taxpayer Clinic or the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be able to help at no cost.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know an IRS letter is real?
Real IRS letters carry a notice number, a tax year and an IRS phone number. You can confirm a balance in your IRS Online Account rather than calling a number from a text or email. The IRS also says it starts audits by mail, not by phone.
Which IRS notice is the most urgent?
An LT11 or Letter 1058, because the 30-day window to request a Collection Due Process hearing starts with it. A CP3219N is just as time-critical: 90 days with no extension.
I got a CP504. Can the IRS take my paycheck now?
Not on the CP504 alone. The IRS says it must first send the formal final notice with your right to a hearing (LT11 or Letter 1058) before levying wages or bank accounts, though it can take a state tax refund after a CP504 (IRS: CDP FAQs).
I live in Harris or Fort Bend County. Do the storm deadlines change my notice?
They can. The IRS says that if you get a late-filing or late-payment penalty notice whose original due date falls inside the 2026 storm postponement period, you should call the number on the notice to have the penalty removed (IRS release TX-2026-05).
What if I never opened the earlier letters?
Open them now and put them in date order. The most recent notice tells you where you are in the process and which deadlines are still open.
Holding a notice you do not understand?
Bring it to a free consultation. We read it with you and tell you how much time you have.
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