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Published:   |   Last Updated: September 4, 2024

Agreed Equivalent Hearing Closing Letter

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Overview

When the Office of Appeals (appeals) makes a decision in an Equivalency Hearing (EH) they send a closing letter.

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What does this mean to me?

You met with an Appeals representative, did not raise issues on the timeliness of your hearing request, and reached an agreement about the collection action you appealed.

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How did I get here?

You requested an EH hearing in response to an IRS collection action. 

You met with an Appeals representative and agreed with their decision about the IRS collection action you appealed, and did not raise issues on the timeliness of your hearing request, .  

You have an unpaid tax liability for one or more tax periods. The IRS either issued you a Letter 3172, Notice of Federal Tax Lien Filing and Your Right to a Hearing Under I.R.C. § 6320, or a Notice of Intent to Levy. 

You did not timely request a CDP hearing but were afforded an “equivalent hearing” that is similar to a CDP hearing, but you may not appeal to a court any decisions made by an Appeals officer. An equivalent hearing must be requested within the one-year period beginning the day after the five-business-day period following the filing of the NFTL, or in levy cases, within the one-year period beginning the day after the date of the CDP notice. Appeals made a decision on your appeal request and you agreed with the decision. 

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If you have questions

You can contact the Appeals representative listed in the closing letter. 

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If you agreed to a Collection Alterative

If during your EH hearing you agreed to an installment agreement or an offer in compromise, you’ll need to make timely payments based on your agreement with the IRS.  

You’ll need to stay current with your tax return filing and tax paying obligations during the time of the agreement, and for five years after the IRS accepts an offer in compromise. 

You can review information regarding enforcement actions if your case is returned to Collection: 

You can also review information regarding collection alternatives and resolutions: 

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The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. We can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. If you qualify for our assistance, which is always free, we will do everything possible to help you.

Visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 1-877-777-4778.

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page on the TAS website or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.

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