Not Sure Where to Start?

Start With the Most Recent Letter

If you have a notice, find the agency, notice number, tax year, and response date. Read every page before choosing a service or making a payment. A proposed adjustment, missing-return request, and unpaid balance require different responses.

Find Out What Is Missing

List the tax years involved. For each year, record whether you filed, whether the return was accepted, and whether there is an unpaid balance. Keep federal and state matters separate.

If Money Is Already Being Taken

A bank or wage levy needs prompt attention. Obtain the order details, identify the agency, and review the response instructions. Do not wait for a consultation or assume that asking for help stops collection.

If the Balance Is Correct but Unaffordable

Compare a payment plan, financial-hardship review, and other agency options. Gather income, essential expenses, and asset information before committing to a monthly amount.

Choose Your Next Step

Use the topic links below to read the relevant primer. You can contact the agency directly, explore free assistance, or ask a qualified professional for a defined service. Start with the work needed for your situation.

Find Your Starting Point

• What to Do When a Tax Notice Arrives
• Back Taxes: Compare Your Payment Options
• Unfiled Returns: Get Back to Current
• Levies, Liens, and Wage Collection
• Business, Payroll, and Sales Tax Problems