Verify contact information
All IRS phone numbers and website addresses should match those on the IRS.gov website, and a specific notice number or reference code may be at the top or bottom of the letter. Don't hesitate to reach out to the IRS directly if you're unsure.
If you send your mailpiece via First Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express, the IRS must RECEIVE your mailing by the due date to consider it on time. That's what makes Certified Mail different and a real advantage when mailing tax documents and payments.
Certified Mail is only available on first-class mail. USPS lets you get a signature from the person who received the mail, such as a receptionist. Or you can specify that the addressee must sign for the package or letter. That way, you know the article was delivered to the right person.
A tax levy is just one of those ways—but it is one of the most serious. Because of the severity of a levy, the IRS will send 5 notices to an individual before seizing the money in the taxpayer's bank account. After 4 notices, they can seize your state income tax refund without further warning.
Not all letters and notices you receive from the IRS are sent via certified mail, but the ones that the IRS does send via certified mail are usually important and may even have legal significance. Important: As of September 2024, the IRS is sending out the dreaded LT11 Notice for the first time in years.
The FTB Final Notice Before Levy and Lien is the final notice that the California Franchise Tax Board sends a taxpayer before it takes forced collection action to collect unpaid state back taxes from the taxpayer as well as impose a collection fee against the taxpayer.
What happens if the recipient is not available to sign for certified mail? If the recipient is not available, USPS leaves a notice slip and gives them 15 days to collect the mail or arrange for redelivery.
Even though individuals send Certified Mail, it's most common for businesses to send it. People commonly receive Certified Mail from attorneys, the IRS, debtors, jury duty, etc. Due to the security of this type of mail, it is a great way to send legal documents.
Use Certified Mail service. Certified Mail service provides date and time of delivery or attempted delivery when you access www.usps.com (under “Quick Tools,” click on Tracking) or call toll-free 800-222-1811.
The IRS won't call, text or contact you via social media to demand immediate tax payment. We begin with a letter in the mail and explain how you can appeal or question what you owe. If you're unsure whether you owe money to the IRS, you can view your tax account information on IRS.gov. Beware of phone scams.
The IRS will issue these balance due notices and letters in gradual stages in 2024 to ensure taxpayers who have questions or need help are able to reach an IRS assistor. This will also provide additional time for tax professionals assisting taxpayers.
Certified Mail
Then you get a mailing receipt that proves they got it, which is helpful and sometimes even required for important documents. Note that Certified Mail is sent with other types of mail, so it does not tend to arrive any faster than First Class or Priority packages and letters.
The IRS sends out an EIN confirmation letter for every EIN application it processes. This EIN confirmation letter is called CP 575, and the IRS only mails the letter to the mailing address listed on line 4 of the SS-4 application. Unfortunately, you cannot get a copy of the IRS EIN confirmation letter online.
An IRS audit letter typically contains the taxpayer's name, tax ID number, contact information, and a request for additional documentation to support claims on the tax return. It may also include the name of the IRS officer handling the case and invite the taxpayer to a meeting.
Some common reasons for certified letters include an outstanding balance, refund issues, return questions, identification verification, missing information, return changes, and processing delays. If you're unsure of the reason for a certified letter from the IRS, ask your tax accountant for help.
This can include summons, complaints, final decisions, and various other legal documents. Local municipalities will often use Certified Mail to send court summons and court judgments, subpoenas, and documents such as eviction notices from landlords.
It could be anything from official to legal documents, but it's not always bad news. Some senders just mail certified letters to ensure they receive proof of delivery.
Even if you don't answer your door, it's considered undeliverable. You can only refuse it if the clerk has a chance to present it to you and you explicitly say that you don't want it. It's not illegal to refuse it.
When you send an item via certified mail, you get a receipt to verify you mailed the item. The USPS also maintains records of certified mail in its system. A certified item requires a delivery signature, meaning it cannot be left in a mailbox or on a doorstep. This service is only available for first-class mail.
The post office will hold unclaimed certified mail for 15 days. You receive a total of 2 notices before they terminate their efforts. When you obtain the first one, you have 15 calendar days from the date you received the notice to pick up your certified package, parcel, or letter.
Most of the time, the IRS sends five letters, starting about six weeks after you file a return. The five letters are often called the collection “notice stream” (notice numbers CP14, CP501, CP503, CP504, and L1058/LT11).
The CP504 Notice lets a taxpayer know if they have an unpaid amount due on their account. If they do not pay the amount due immediately, the IRS will seize (levy) their state income tax refund and apply it to pay the amount they owe.
The federal tax lien arises automatically when the IRS sends the first notice demanding payment of the tax debt assessed against you and you fail to pay the amount in full. The filing of a Notice of Federal Tax Lien may affect your ability to obtain credit although it no longer appears on major credit reports.