IRS LT11 Notice: What It Means & How to Respond

When the IRS begins tax collections, one notice you should never ignore is the LT11 notice. You might panic when you receive this letter, but you still have time to fix things. The key is to act fast and understand your options.

In this blog, we’ll explain what the LT11 notice really means, why you got it, your rights, and how you can respond to avoid serious trouble. 

Whether you agree with the IRS or want to dispute the debt, this article will walk you through your options.

Let’s begin.

What is an IRS LT11 Notice?

The LT11 notice follows prior IRS notices such as CP14, CP501, CP503, and CP504.

After 30 days from the date on the letter, the IRS can legally begin collection actions, including wage garnishments or bank levies.

The notice includes:

• Your total tax balance due (including interest and penalties)
• The deadline to respond
• Your right to request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing
• Instructions for paying or disputing the balance

This is not a bill. It’s a serious legal document. That’s why the IRS LT11 Notice explanation matters so much.

Also Read → Why Did I Receive a Certified Letter from the IRS?

Why Did You Receive LT11?

You received the LT11 notice because you owe taxes and have ignored earlier reminders. 

These could be from a,

• Tax return you filed but didn’t pay
• Substitute the return the IRS filed for you
• Tax audit where changes increased your balance

When unpaid taxes go unresolved, the IRS begins its collections process, which leads to the LT11 notice.

Bonus Read → How to Handle and Resolve IRS Letter Notices

IRS Collection Process and LT11 Notice

The IRS gives you chances before enforcement begins. It follows a step-by-step process that gives you several opportunities to act before serious enforcement begins. 

Here’s how that process works:

1. CP14: This is the first notice the IRS sends. It informs you that you owe taxes and provides details on how much you owe and how to pay it.
2. CP501/CP503: These are reminder letters. They come if you don’t respond to CP14. The language gets stronger, pushing you to pay or contact the IRS.
3. CP504: At this stage, the IRS warns it might take your state tax refund. This letter is more serious and is often the first mention of levy actions.
4. LT11 Notice: This is the final warning. It’s an IRS Final Notice of Intent to Levy and gives you 30 days to act before the IRS starts seizing your property or income.

Along with the LT11 notice, the IRS includes Publication 594, which outlines how tax collections work and explains your rights as a taxpayer. It’s important to read this publication because it tells you exactly what the IRS can and cannot do and what options you have to respond.

Consequences of Ignoring an LT11 Notice

If you discard the LT11 notice, the IRS can start collection actions. 

The IRS can legally seize your:

• Wages
• Bank accounts
• Business income
• State tax refunds
• Property or real estate
• Social Security benefits
• And even personal property (though that’s rare)

Ignoring this notice can also lead to a federal tax lien, which can hurt your credit and prevent you from selling property. 

If your tax debt is over $62,000, the IRS may even ask the State Department to revoke your passport.

The LT11 is not just a threat. It’s a signal that the IRS is ready to act. That’s why knowing what to do if you receive an LT11 is critical.

Know More → What to Do When You Receive IRS Letters 1058 or LT11

How to Respond to an LT11 Notice?

LT11 is a final notice. You must act quickly and respond correctly.

Review the Notice Carefully

Make sure it was sent to you and matches your records. 

• Check the amount due, the tax year involved, and the response deadline. 
• Verify whether penalties or interest are still accumulating.

Decide If You Agree or Disagree

• If you agree you owe the debt, you should either pay it in full or arrange a payment plan.
• If you disagree, you can file Form 12153 to request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing.

Payment Options if You Owe the IRS

If you know you owe the IRS but can’t pay the full amount, there are several ways to handle the debt that can stop the levy process and help you regain control.

1. Pay the Full Amount

If you can afford to pay your full tax bill, do it. This is the fastest and easiest way to stop the IRS from initiating collection efforts.

You can pay by:

• Using IRS Direct Pay online
• Mailing a check or money order to the address listed on the notice
• Paying electronically through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

This method clears your debt and ends the problem.

2. Request a Payment Plan

If you can’t pay everything right now, the IRS allows monthly payments. Set up monthly payments using Form 9465 or the IRS online portal.

If your total balance is under $50,000, you may qualify for a streamlined Online Payment Agreement.

These installment agreements let you:

• Spread your payments over time
• Avoid more aggressive collection actions
• Keep your paycheck and bank account safe

Apply online or call the IRS to set up a plan. This option is smart if you need flexibility.

3. Submit an Offer in Compromise (OIC)

An Offer in Compromise lets you settle your tax debt for less than what you owe. It’s for people who can’t pay their full balance and don’t expect to be able to.

You’ll need to:

• Complete IRS Form 656 and Form 433-A (OIC)
• Prove you have limited income and assets
• Pay a $205 application fee, unless you qualify for a waiver

This path is challenging, but it can reduce your total debt if you meet the criteria.

4. Prove Financial Hardship

If paying the IRS means you can’t afford essentials like housing, food, or medication, ask the IRS to mark your account as “Currently Not Collectible” for hardship relief.

This does not erase your debt, but it does:

• Stop collection actions
• Delay future payments until your situation improves
• Help in avoiding IRS enforced collection when you truly can’t pay

The IRS will likely ask for proof of your income, expenses, and assets. If accepted, you will get relief, at least for now.

LT11 vs. CP504: Understanding the Differences

People often confuse the LT11 notice with the CP504. But understanding IRS LT11 vs CP504 helps you take the right actions at the right time.

Here’s the difference:

Can You Stop an IRS Levy After Receiving LT11?

Yes, you can, but time is not on your side. 

Once you get an LT11 notice, one of the most powerful tools available to you is the Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing before the IRS starts seizing your assets. 

This is your last chance to IRS notice of levy defense.

How to File an Appeal Before the Levy Starts?

You have the right to a CDP hearing if you respond within 30 days of receiving the notice. 

CDP lets you:

• Dispute the debt
• Propose alternate payment options
• Stop the IRS from levying your property

File Form 12153 and send it to the address on your LT11 notice. This stops the IRS from collecting while your appeal is pending.

Hearings are usually conducted by phone and give you a chance to explain your case. If the outcome isn’t fair, you can appeal to the U.S. Tax Court.

If you miss the 30-day deadline, you can still request an Equivalent Hearing. However, you can’t appeal the result of that hearing in Tax Court, and this won’t pause levy actions.

Working with a Tax Professional for LT11 Resolution

This is not something you want to handle on your own. You need someone who knows the IRS inside out. 

Hopkins CPA Firm provides you with more than just advice; we deliver real solutions that work.

Here’s how we help you directly:

• We don’t just help you file a CDP request; we ensure it’s done right, so collections stop immediately.
• We deal with the IRS agents on your behalf; you won’t have to make a single call or send a confusing form.
• We build a strong Offer in Compromise that increases your chances of approval, using real financial analysis and documentation.
• We fight to protect your paycheck, bank account, and property by pushing back the IRS when it acts unfairly.
• We track every deadline and notice for you so you don’t miss any response window or lose any rights.

With us, you’re partnering with experts who’ve helped hundreds of taxpayers beat back the IRS → Book a consultation call with Hopkins CPA Firm now!

How to Avoid Future IRS Collection Notices?

If you’ve received an LT11 notice, you probably ignored earlier IRS letters. 

To avoid that in the future:

• Always open IRS mail immediately
• Set up auto-reminders for tax payments
• Stay up to date on your returns
• Keep your address updated with the IRS

Preventing new debts is the best way of avoiding IRS enforced collection.

Final Steps to Protect Your Finances After an LT11 Notice

Getting an LT11 notice can shake you. But if you act fast, you can avoid the worst. Here’s what you need to do:

• Respond before 30 days pass
• Keep every letter you get from the IRS
• Write down when you talk to the IRS or send them anything
• Talk to a professional who deals with tax debt every day

If you’re still asking, “What to do if you receive an LT11?” Here’s the short answer: Don’t wait. Waiting makes everything worse.

The longer you wait, the fewer rights you have. Act early, act smart, and protect your money.

Face LT11 Notice Confidently with Hopkins CPA Firm

The LT11 notice is serious. Don’t ignore it. Don’t go through it alone.

Hopkins CPA Firm helps individuals like you respond to LT11 notices, appeal levy threats, and resolve tax problems before they escalate.

We can help with:

• Responding to IRS LT11 letter
• Requesting a payment plan after LT11
• Filing an Offer in Compromise
• Appealing an LT11 notice
• How to stop an IRS levy

Let’s stop the IRS from taking your money. Contact Hopkins CPA Firm now!