What This Notice Means
The IRS is trying to collect unfiled tax returns or your Shared Responsibility Payment (SRP). It already told you it would contact third parties to get or verify your contact information. Those contacts will continue through the period shown on your notice.
The IRS generally tells third parties only limited information, such as your name. The law prevents it from disclosing more than necessary to get or verify what it needs.
What to Do
- File all missing returns. Mail them with supporting documents to the address at the top of your notice by the date on the notice. You may need to file for several years.
- Pay your balance in full by the date on the notice to avoid more penalties and interest.
- If you can't pay in full, apply for a payment plan.
- If you're in financial hardship, look at temporarily delaying collection or settling the debt.
- Check your Online Account for your balance, transcripts, and payment history.
Missing Returns Questions
- Already filed? If it's been over 10 weeks since you sent it, send a signed copy again. If a return was reported missing in error, call the number on your notice.
- Not required to file? Check the filing requirements for those years. If you aren't required but the notice says you are, call the number on your notice.
- Due a refund? You may still have to file. To get the refund, you must file within three years of the original due date, or within two years of when you paid the tax, if applicable.
Who Gets Contacted
The IRS sends you a copy of the contact list once a year. No list means no one was contacted that you must be told about.
Why Act Now
Third-party contacts mean your account is in active collection. Filing the missing returns is the first step to stopping them.
If you received an LT51 notice and have unfiled returns to catch up on, call us at (813) 229-7100.