How many days do you have to answer the IRS?
You are holding an IRS notice, and you need to know your last day to answer.
Each code has its own count, such as 30 days for an LT11 and 90 days for a CP3219A (notice of deficiency).
Call to have a licensed tax professional check your deadline and your reply before you send it.
When is my last day?
ExampleAn LT11 dated October 6, 2026 runs to November 5, 2026.
LT11 or 1058 (final levy notice): 30 days.
Miss it: You lose the Collection Due Process hearing and the IRS can levy wages and bank accounts.
What to do first: Send Form 12153 to ask for a hearing, or call to set up a payment plan.
What happens if I miss my last day?
What if I miss day 30 on an LT11?
You lose the Collection Due Process hearing, and the IRS can take money from your wages or bank account.
Send Form 12153 by the hearing-request deadline printed on your LT11 or Letter 1058.
What if I miss day 90 on a notice of deficiency?
The Tax Court cannot take your case, and the IRS assesses the tax.
File your petition before day 90, even while you talk with the IRS.
What if I miss day 10 on a CP161?
The 10 days the IRS asks for to report a mistake have passed, and interest keeps growing on the balance.
Call the number on the notice anyway and compare its payments with your records.
Get your deadline and reply checked
For example, an LT11 dated October 6, 2026 runs to November 5, 2026, and after that day the IRS can levy.
Miss that day and you lose the hearing, so a licensed tax professional can file Form 12153 or set up a payment plan before then.
Call now and have your last day and your reply checked before you mail it.
Call 855-964-5291What happens when you call
- You call during business hours and say which letter or bill you have.
- 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 notice details?
Send the code, the date on the letter and the amount so a licensed tax professional can review your deadline.
They read those details and go over your reply with you.
How long does each letter give you?
| Letter | Days | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
| CP2000 (income mismatch) | 30 | The date on the letter |
| LT11 or 1058 (final levy notice) | 30 | The date on the letter |
| CP90 (federal payment levy) | 30 | The date on the letter |
| CP523 (plan in default) | 30 | The date on the letter |
| CP3219A (90-day letter) | 90 | The date on the letter |
| 12C (missing information) | 20 | The date on the letter |
| CP14 (printed due date) | Printed due date | The due date on the bill |
| CP161 (balance due) | 10 | The date on the letter |
The counter adds the letter's days to the date printed on it. If your letter prints a last day, use that date. A CP14 uses the due date printed on the bill.
Sources
- CP2000 (income mismatch). Published by irs.gov.
- LT11 or 1058 (final levy notice). Published by irs.gov.
- CP90 (federal payment levy). Published by irs.gov.
- Understanding your CP523 notice. Published by irs.gov.
- Understanding your CP3219A notice. Published by irs.gov.
- Understanding your Letter 12C. Published by irs.gov.
- Understanding your CP14 notice. Published by irs.gov.
- Understanding your CP161 notice. Published by irs.gov.
Last checked October 2026
What to do now
- Find the date printed on your letter. The count starts there.
- Match the notice code to its count, such as 30 days or 90 days.
- Mark your last day on a calendar and plan to mail before it.
- If your last day is less than 10 days away, call today so your reply goes out in time.
Call now and have your last day and your reply checked before you mail it.
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.