IRS Notice CP501
IRS Notice CP501: reminder of balance due
A CP501 is a follow-up reminder about tax still unpaid after a CP14. There's no levy yet, but interest and penalties keep growing every day.
What it isBalance-due reminder
DueDate on the notice
Next lettersCP503 → CP504
Why you got it
The IRS already sent a CP14 about a balance on a filed return, and payment didn't arrive or wasn't in full. The CP501 shows the current amount: tax, interest and the late-payment penalty.
What to do
- Check the amount against your return and payments. If you already paid, find the confirmation: date, amount and payment method.
- If the amount is right, pay at irs.gov (Direct Pay or your IRS Online Account).
- Can't pay it all? Set up an online payment plan at irs.gov. While you keep to the plan, collection letters stop moving forward.
- Disagree? Call the number on the notice before the date shown and have your documents ready.
This is the cheapest stage to fix it. At CP501 there's no levy threat yet, and a payment plan takes minutes online.
If you do nothing
A CP503 follows, then a CP504 notice of intent to levy. After a CP504 the IRS can take your state tax refund, and next comes an LT11, the final notice before a bank levy or wage garnishment.