CPA · EA · CTRS​

20+ years helping taxpayers · (501) 725-2626​

Just got a letter from the IRS?

The First 48 Hours After an IRS Notice:

what to do before you panic

A clear, plain-English guide that decodes the letter on your kitchen table, tells you exactly how serious it is, and gives you the calm, correct steps to take next.

  • ​How to read your notice code: CP14, CP504, LT11, and what each one really means
  • ​The exact 7-step checklist for your first 48 hours
  • The 5 mistakes that cost taxpayers the most money
  • ​Your real options for resolving the debt

Your free 6-page guide

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A taste of what's inside

Know how serious your notice is in about 30 seconds

The guide opens with this decoder. Find the code in the top-right corner of your letter, it tells you exactly where you stand in the IRS process.

Notice
What it means
Urgency
CP14
Your first bill. The IRS says you owe a balance. The calmest stage, and the best time to act.
Low
CP501 / 503
Reminder notices. You didn't respond to the first bill. The tone sharpens; penalties and interest keep growing.
Rising
CP504
"Intent to levy" warning. The IRS can take your state refund and may file a lien. Serious, but not yet the final step.
High
LT11 / 1058
Final notice of intent to levy, plus your right to a hearing. You have 30 days to request that hearing, miss it, and the IRS can act.
Critical

Who wrote this

I'm Alissa Hollinger.

CPA, EA, CTRS

I created this guide because I've watched too many people freeze when that envelope shows up, and freezing is what turns a fixable problem into a levy. For 20+ years, I've walked taxpayers through exactly these first steps. This is the calm, correct version of what I tell my own clients, with no jargon and no scare tactics.

Take the first step, before the deadline does.

The guide is free. The clock on your notice isn't waiting.

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Hollinger Tax Resolution · Tax Relief Strategy Network

This guide is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not tax, legal, or accounting advice, and does not create a client relationship. IRS procedures, forms, and deadlines change and vary by situation. Always confirm details on the official notice you received and at IRS.gov, and consult a qualified tax professional before acting.
© 2026 Hollinger Tax Resolution. All rights reserved.