Notice code CP503
You got a CP503. This is the second reminder.
You are holding a CP503, the second IRS reminder that you still owe a balance.
Pay the full balance by the due date printed on the notice to stop more penalties and interest.
Call now to check the amount and talk through paying over time before a CP504 arrives.
Briefing for CP503
IRS pageThe second IRS reminder that a tax balance on your account is still unpaid.
Use the date printed on this reminder.
- Pay the full balance by the due date on the notice.
- Apply for a payment plan if you cannot pay it all.
- Call the IRS number and send proof if you already paid.
Which numbers matter?
2nd reminder
This is the second time the IRS has asked, and a levy warning comes next.
Pay or call before the due date printed on this notice.
$50,000
If you owe $50,000 or less and your returns are filed, you can apply for a Simple Payment Plan.
Add up your balance and file any missing returns before you apply.
10 years
Most people who qualify can spread the balance over as long as 10 years.
Pick a monthly amount you can keep paying before you call.
Second reminder before a levy warning
A CP503 is your second reminder, and the due date printed on it is the one that counts.
Miss it and a CP504 levy warning follows, so a licensed tax professional can check the balance and plan payments.
Call now and talk through paying over time before that due date arrives.
Call 855-964-5291What happens when you call
- You call during business hours and say you have a CP503.
- A licensed tax professional asks for the date, the amount and the tax years on the letter.
- You hear your options for this notice and decide what to do. Nothing is filed without your yes.
A licensed tax professional answers, not the IRS. The call costs nothing, and you give up nothing by calling. IRS Code Lookup is a private tax help service.
Would you rather send your CP503 details?
Send the balance, tax year, and due date from your CP503 through the form.
That lets a licensed tax professional check the amount before you talk about a payment plan.
What changed recently?
In 2026, the IRS offers Simple Payment Plans for individuals who owe $50,000 or less and are current on filing. Most taxpayers get up to 10 years, and business taxpayers now qualify too.
Source: Simple Payment Plans for individuals and businesses.
What is the IRS saying?
The IRS has not received your payment or a reply to its earlier notices. It may file a notice of federal tax lien if you still do nothing.
Why did you get it?
Earlier bills went unpaid. Take Sam. His CP14 and CP501 sat in a drawer. The CP503 is the last reminder before the levy warning.
Is it real?
Look for the code top right and a payment slip at the bottom. Call the toll-free number on the notice before the payment due date with any questions.
Still unsure? Search the code on the IRS notice search, or use the real or fake checklist.
When is your deadline?
Use the date printed on this reminder. A day count for a different notice does not replace that date.
What if you agree?
Pay online or by mail. If you cannot pay all of it, apply for a payment plan.
What if you don't agree?
Call the number on the notice and explain. Send proof of payments the IRS missed.
What happens if you ignore it?
The next letter is a CP504, the notice of intent to levy. A lien may be filed, which is a public claim on what you own.
What should you read next?
Questions people ask
What happens after a CP503?
If it stays unpaid, the IRS sends a CP504, which says it intends to levy your state refund and other money.
Can I still get a payment plan after a CP503?
Yes, if you qualify. Apply online or call the number on the notice.
Will a CP503 lead to a lien?
It can. The IRS says it may file a notice of federal tax lien if you do not pay or call.
Do I have to pay a CP503 all at once?
No. Pay what you can and set up a plan for the rest. Our payment plan page explains how.
Sources
- Understanding your CP503 notice. Published by irs.gov.
- Failure to pay penalty. Published by irs.gov.
- Simple Payment Plans for individuals and businesses. Published by irs.gov.
Last checked October 2026
What to do now
- Find the due date printed on your CP503 and mark it.
- Compare the balance with your own payment records for that tax year.
- Pay in full online or by mail if you can.
- Call now to talk through a payment plan if you cannot pay it all.
Call now and talk through paying over time before that due date arrives.
A licensed tax professional answers, not the IRS. The call costs nothing, and you give up nothing by calling. IRS Code Lookup is a private tax help service.