IRS notices and letters are official communications that inform you of a balance due, audit selection, proposed changes, or impending enforcement action — and each has specific response deadlines that, if missed, can cost you your rights to dispute or appeal. The IRS sends notices in a predictable sequence, starting with informational notices (CP14) and escalating to final enforcement warnings (CP504, LT11) before levying your assets. Neil Jesani Tax Resolution's IRS Notice Decoder tool and 70+ tax professionals help you identify exactly what your notice means and what action to take immediately. Key Takeaways The IRS sends millions of notices and letters each year — most are routine, but some require urgent action to protect your rights Understanding the difference between a CP14 balance due notice and a LT11 final notice of intent to levy can mean the difference between a simple payment and losing your assets Every IRS notice includes a notice number (top right corner) that tells you exactly what the IRS wants and what your options are You typically have 30 to 60 days to respond to most IRS notices — missing deadlines can result in lost appeal rights and aggressive enforcement A qualified tax resolution professional can help you interpret complex notices and develop the right response strategy How IRS Communication Works The Internal Revenue Service communicates with taxpayers primarily through the United States Postal Service. The IRS does not initiate contact through email, text messages, or social media — if you receive a communication claiming to be from the IRS through any of those channels, it is almost certainly a scam. Legitimate IRS correspondence always arrives as a physical letter or notice in your mailbox. The IRS sends correspondence for many reasons: to inform you of a change to your account, to request additional information,...