IRS NOTICES: TAX DEBT

What is a CP91 notice?

Mark Steber Chief Tax Information Officer Published On June 26, 2020

Understanding your CP91 notice

The IRS has sent several notices and received no response. They plan to take up to 15% of your social security benefits to pay your tax debt.

H2 Type of Notice

Unpaid taxes

Why you received the CP91 notice

You received a CP91 notice because you owe the IRS money and have ignored the letters sent previously. The IRS plans to seize (levy) up to 15% of your social security benefits to cover that tax debt until it is paid in full. To stop the levy, pay your taxes in full within 30 days or pay as much as you can and set up a payment plan. If you are unable to pay at this time, contact the IRS at the number provided.

Likely next steps

As always, carefully read the notice, which will explain what the IRS intends to do. The IRS tried to contact you multiple times about the taxes owed but received no response.

Then, you need to either make the payment by the due date or set up a payment plan.

You can also contact a tax professional to learn more about your options.

CP91 Notice deadline

You have 30 days to pay the balance or set up a payment plan or the IRS will levy your Social Security.

If you miss the deadline

If you do not pay your unpaid tax balance within 30 days or set up a payment plan, the IRS will issue a levy of 15% on your social security until the tax debt is paid.

About the Author

Mark Steber is Chief Tax Information Officer, responsible for key initiatives that support overall tax service delivery and quality assurance. Mark also serves as a Jackson Hewitt liaison with the Internal Revenue Service, states, and other government authorities. With over 30 years of tax experience and deep knowledge of the federal and state tax codes, Mark is widely referenced as an expert on consumer income tax issues, especially electronic-tax and tax data-protection issues.

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