What is a CP91 notice?

Understanding your CP91 notice

The IRS has sent several notices and received no response. They plan to take up to 15% of your social security benefits to pay your tax debt.

Type of Notice

Unpaid taxes

Why you received the CP91 notice

You received a CP91 notice because you owe the IRS money and have ignored the letters sent previously. The IRS plans to seize (levy) up to 15% of your social security benefits to cover that tax debt until it is paid in full. To stop the levy, pay your taxes in full within 30 days or pay as much as you can and set up a payment plan. If you are unable to pay at this time, contact the IRS at the number provided.

Likely next steps

As always, carefully read the notice, which will explain what the IRS intends to do. The IRS tried to contact you multiple times about the taxes owed but received no response.

Then, you need to either make the payment by the due date or set up a payment plan.

You can also contact a tax professional to learn more about your options.

CP91 Notice deadline

You have 30 days to pay the balance or set up a payment plan or the IRS will levy your Social Security.

If you miss the deadline

If you do not pay your unpaid tax balance within 30 days or set up a payment plan, the IRS will issue a levy of 15% on your social security until the tax debt is paid.

About the Author

Mark Steber is Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Information Officer for Jackson Hewitt. With over 30 years of experience, he oversees tax service delivery, quality assurance and tax law adherence. Mark is Jackson Hewitt’s national spokesperson and liaison to the Internal Revenue Service and other government authorities. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), holds registrations in Alabama and Georgia, and is an expert on consumer income taxes including electronic tax and tax data protection.

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