--- title: IRS Tax Problems: Notices, Levies and Liens | TaxTruce url: https://taxtruce.com/health updated: 2026-10-29 --- # What is going on with your taxes? Pick the one that sounds like you. [**CP14 notice**A CP14 is the first bill the IRS sends when you owe unpaid taxes.](/health/cp14-notice)[**CP504 notice**A CP504 is the IRS notice of intent to levy.](/health/cp504-notice)[**LT11 or Letter 1058**An LT11 or Letter 1058 says the IRS intends to seize your property and tells you about your right to a hearing.](/health/final-notice-of-intent-to-levy)[**CP2000 notice**A CP2000 means income or payments reported by others, like employers or banks, don't match your return.](/health/cp2000-notice)[**Audit letter**An audit is a review of your return and records.](/health/audit-letter)[**Passport at risk**If you have seriously delinquent tax debt, the IRS tells the State Department.](/health/passport-hold)[**Refund taken**Your refund can be cut to pay old federal taxes, past due child support, other federal debts, state income tax or some state unemployment debts.](/health/refund-offset)[**Social Security levy**Yes.](/health/social-security-levy)[**Divorce and tax debt**If you filed jointly, you are both responsible for that tax, even after a divorce, and even if the decree says your ex must pay.](/health/divorce-tax-debt)[**After a spouse dies**Someone must file the final return for a person who died, and any past years they missed.](/health/death-of-spouse)[**Lost your job**Unemployment pay is taxable income.](/health/job-loss)[**Medical hardship**A serious illness can be a reasonable cause to remove late filing or late payment penalties.](/health/medical-hardship)[**Business closed**Closing a business does not end its taxes.](/health/business-closed)[**Identity theft**If someone filed a return or got a refund in your name, follow the IRS letter, report it with Form 14039, and get an identity protection PIN.](/health/identity-theft)[**1099-K surprise**A Form 1099-K reports payments you got for goods or services through cards, payment apps or online marketplaces.](/health/1099k-surprise)[**Crypto taxes**Selling or trading crypto can create tax.](/health/crypto-taxes)[**Early 401(k) withdrawal**Money taken from a 401(k) or IRA before age 59 and a half is usually taxed as income, plus a 10% extra tax.](/health/early-401k-withdrawal)[**Taxes on unemployment**Unemployment benefits are taxable income.](/health/unemployment-taxes)[**IRS scam calls**Scammers pose as the IRS and demand you pay now or be arrested.](/health/irs-scam-calls)[**10 year collection clock**The IRS generally has 10 years from the date a tax is assessed to collect it.](/health/statute-of-limitations) General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change. A licensed tax pro can look at your own case. Your real options ## The main ways people deal with IRS debt **Payment plan** Pay over time. Plans under $50,000 can be set up online. [Estimate a plan](/tools/payment-plan-estimator) **Penalty relief** Some penalties can be removed for a clean record or a good reason. **Offer in compromise** Settle for less in rare cases. Only 14% of offers were accepted in fiscal year 2025. **Not collectible for now** If you truly cannot pay, the IRS may pause collection. Interest keeps growing. Results depend on your situation. Not every case qualifies. ## Questions about tax problems What is the first letter the IRS sends? Usually a CP14, a bill for the tax you owe. Pay by the due date on it and no more interest is added. What does a levy mean? A levy is when the IRS takes money or property, like wages or a bank account, to pay the debt. A notice of intent to levy, like a CP504, comes first. What is a tax lien? A lien is the government's legal claim on your property for a tax debt. The IRS releases it within 30 days after the debt is paid. How do I know if a letter is really from the IRS? Check your balance in your own IRS online account at irs.gov, and call the number listed on irs.gov, not one from a text or email.