Understanding your CP504B notice

What this notice is about

We’re providing you with this notice of intent to levy as required by Internal Revenue Code section 6331(d) because we haven’t received payment for the amount you owe. If you don’t pay the amount due immediately, the IRS may seize or levy certain property or rights to property. We may also file a Federal Tax Lien, if we haven’t already done so.
This notice also explains that the U.S. Department of State may deny or revoke your passport. Under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the IRS is required to notify the State Department if you have certain unpaid tax debts. Once notified, the State Department is generally not allowed to issue or renew your passport until the tax debt is paid or resolved. Additional information on passport certification is available at IRS.gov/passports.


What you need to do


You may want to

  • Request an appeal under the Collection Appeals Program (CAP) before collection action takes place by following the instructions on your notice.
  • Use the IRS Document Upload Tool to send us documents pertaining to your tax account.

Frequently asked questions

How much time do I have?

You should pay your balance or contact us as soon as possible but no later than 30 days from the date of the notice.

What happens if I don't pay or contact the IRS?

If we don’t receive the amount due within 30 days from the date on the notice, we may serve a Disqualified Employment Tax Levy or a Federal Contractor Levy. In most other situations, before we levy on your property or rights to property, we’ll send you a notice that gives you the opportunity to request a Collection Due Process hearing. We can also file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien on your property. A tax lien is a public notice that the IRS has a claim on your property due to unpaid taxes, which can impact your credit.

What is included in property or rights to property?
Property includes:

  • Wages, real estate commissions, accounts receivable and other income
  • Bank accounts
  • Business assets
  • Personal assets (including your car and home)
  • Social Security benefits

Currently, levying your state tax refund through the State Income Tax Levy Program (SITLP) only applies to individual state tax refunds but may include business state tax refunds in the future.
What if I paid the balance and/or established an installment agreement?
Payments may take time to post to your account. If you recently paid your balance in full, you can disregard this notice. Sign in to your online account and select View Balance Details to check your current balance and payment history.
If you already have an approved installment agreement, continue making payments as agreed. If you applied for an installment agreement but it hasn’t been approved yet, pay as much as you can now to reduce additional interest.
What if I don't agree or have questions?
If you don't agree or have questions about this notice, contact us immediately at the toll-free number shown on your notice. Please have your paperwork (such as cancelled checks, amended return, etc.) ready when you call.

Need help?