An official website of the U.S. Gov An official website of the U.S. GovThe IRS Independent Office of Appeals (Appeals) serves as the administrative forum for any taxpayer contesting an IRS compliance action. If the IRS’s position is adverse to the taxpayer, Appeals is authorized to partially or fully concede the issue(s) in the taxpayer’s case based on the hazards of litigation.
An Initial Contact Letter is your notification that your tax return has been selected for an audit (also called an examination). Included in the letter is a listing of the specific items reported on your tax return or that you failed to include on your return that are being questioned by the IRS, with a request that you provide documentation to support the identified items.
The IRS Independent Office of Appeals (Appeals) serves as the administrative forum for any taxpayer contesting an IRS compliance action. If the IRS’s position is adverse to the taxpayer, Appeals is authorized to partially or fully concede the issue(s) in the taxpayer’s case based on the hazards of litigation.
IRS made the changes you requested to your tax return (i.e., an amended return) for the tax year on the notice you received. You now have a balance due as a result of the changes requested.
Taxpayer receives a notice or letter from the IRS and either chooses to respond to the notice or letter by paying their tax balance in full and/or filing missing tax returns; or pursuing a payment option; or the taxpayer chooses not to respond.
A “discharge” removes the NFTL from a specific property; however, the lien remains attached to all other property and future rights to property.
As the National Taxpayer Advocate, I advocate for all taxpayers, regardless of whether they reside in the United States or abroad. Our hearts go out to the impacted people in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza because of the terrorist attacks beginning on October 7, 2023. I applaud the IRS for quickly providing filing and some payment relief for these taxpayers.
An Initial Contact Letter is your notification that your tax return has been selected for an audit (also called an examination). Included in the letter is a listing of the specific items reported on your tax return or that you failed to include on your return that are being questioned by the IRS, with a request that you provide documentation to support the identified items.
You have a balance on your tax account which you have not paid and the IRS has filed a public document, the Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL), with the local and/or state authorities to alert creditors that the government has a right to your interests in any current and future property and assets.
National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins today released her Fiscal Year 2026 Objectives Report to Congress, highlighting a largely successful 2025 filing season while raising concerns about persistent refund delays for victims of identity theft, delays in processing Employee Retention Credit claims, and critical challenges facing taxpayers and the IRS as the agency prepares for the 2026 filing season. The report also outlines the National Taxpayer Advocate’s priority recommendations as the IRS continues to modernize its technology systems in the coming years.
You file, within one year after the CDP notice date, Form 12153, Request for a Collection Due Process or Equivalent Hearing, but cannot go to tax court if you disagree with the Appeals determination.
Bankruptcy proceedings begin when you file a petition in bankruptcy court, and that filing creates the bankruptcy estate which consists of all your assets as of filing date. When you file a bankruptcy petition your assets in the bankruptcy estate, under the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court, aren't subject to levy.
You must have an account with ID.me to access your IRS online account.
