LT11, Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing, is a letter the IRS sends shortly before levying your assets or seizing your rights to property. This is a very serious notice – you are at risk of losing your assets if you don’t act immediately.
However, you do have rights—if you act quickly, you can prevent the seizure of your assets, request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing, and address your tax debt. Your first step should be reaching out to the team at Wiggam Law. We’ve helped many taxpayers like you avoid levies, liens, and other aggressive collection actions. Call us at 404-609-1300 to set up a consultation.
What is LT11?
LT11 is the final notice you receive before the IRS seizes your assets. Legally, the IRS is required to send this notice via certified mail and give you 30 days to rectify the situation before they move forward with a levy.
Once you receive this letter, you are on a 30-day countdown. Shortly after that 30th day passes, the IRS will take action, such as freezing your bank account, beginning foreclosure against your home, seizing your vehicle, or garnishing your wages.
This is never the first notice sent, though. When the IRS does not receive payment for past-due taxes, it sends out a series of notices to taxpayers. These notices include CP14, CP501, CP503, and CP504. One of the final ones you receive is LT11 or Letter 1058. These notices have basically the same information and format.
Legal Background of LT11
Section 6331 of the Internal Revenue Code grants the IRS the legal right to seize your assets. This section of the IRC states that the IRS must notify the taxpayer in person by leaving the notice at their home or work or by sending certified or registered mail to the taxpayer’s last known address.
That notice must be sent no later than 30 days before the date of the levy. The Internal Revenue Code also outlines the taxpayer’s rights to a Collection Due Process hearing in these notices. This hearing is before the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, giving you the right to dispute the amount you owe or explore other ways to pay off your tax debt.
What Does Receiving an LT11 or Letter 1058 Mean?
No one looks forward to mail from the IRS, much less IRS mail that indicates that they’re on the verge of seizing your assets. Since this is the last in line of IRS notices, you’re on a tight timeline. It’s important to read the notice thoroughly, understand what’s at stake, and review your options.
Immediate Consequences
These letters mean the IRS immediately plans to seize your property or your rights to property. This may include personal property, vehicles, money in your bank accounts, retirement accounts, and wages.
Unfortunately, you’ve nearly run out of time at this point—it takes several months for the IRS to work through its long list of notices, but once you have received LT11 or Letter 1058, you are down to 30 days. The IRS may also file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (often shortened to NFTL), which is public record and may impact your ability to secure new lines of credit, but that often happens long before you get the LT11.
Types of Property the IRS Can Levy
The Internal Revenue Code gives the IRS broad freedom to levy a wide range of assets, including but not limited to:
- Your wages and any other income sources you may have
- Bank accounts
- Personal and business assets, including real estate and vehicles
- Social Security benefits
- State tax refunds
- Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends
Taxpayer Rights and Options After Receiving LT11
Although receiving LT11 can be overwhelming, slowing down and reading your notice can give you a lot of the information you need about how best to proceed.
Collection Due Process (CDP) Hearing
You do have the right to request a Collection Due Process hearing or its equivalent by submitting Form 12153. The deadline for this request is 30 days after the date listed on the notice, which is the same deadline you have for paying off the tax debt.
If you do not file Form 12153 by the deadline, you give up your right to contest Appeals’ decision in U.S. Tax Court. In a Collection Due Process hearing, you can contest the amount the IRS claims you owe if you have not had a chance to do so previously. You can also discuss potential payment arrangements that allow you to avoid enforced collection actions.
Collection Alternatives
When it comes to exploring other payment arrangements, the IRS offers various payment plans that may better accommodate your budget and financial needs than enforced collection. Some options you may want to look into include:
- Installment agreement: Installment agreements allow you to spread out the amount you owe into monthly payments for up to 72 months. The application process is simple for most taxpayers, although those with a significant amount of debt may have to apply via mail or over the phone instead of online. Those who qualify to apply online can get an immediate decision, bringing immediate peace of mind.
- Partial payment installment agreement: If you would like to pay your tax debt off over time but you cannot afford the minimum monthly payment for an installment agreement, you may qualify for a partial payment installment agreement, often shortened to PPIA. If the IRS reviews your financial records and determines your eligibility for a PPIA, they will allow you to make smaller monthly payments until the Collection Statute Expiration Date. During that time, they may request additional financial information to see if your financial situation has changed enough to allow you to resume regular payments.
- Offer in compromise: While an offer in compromise isn’t available to all taxpayers, it can be a huge source of relief for those who do qualify. After giving the IRS an extensive breakdown of your finances and proposing a payment amount, they will determine whether or not your proposed payment reflects what you are capable of paying. Depending on your offer, you may pay in one lump sum or pay over a period of several months.
- Currently not collectible: This option also requires an in-depth look at your finances. If the IRS believes that your financial situation does not currently allow you to make any payments toward your tax debt, they will declare you currently not collectible and stop collection actions. They will review your finances periodically and expect you to resume payments once your financial situation changes.
Why Timing is Critical
Whether you decide to apply for a different payment arrangement or request a Collection Due Process hearing, time is of the essence right now. The IRS has made multiple attempts to contact you, and their next step will dramatically impact your financial well-being.
While you can explore other payment options after the IRS has levied your assets, it is much more difficult and time-consuming than doing so before a levy. Furthermore, there is no flexibility with the Collection Due Process hearing timeline—if you miss the 30-day window, you give up that right. You can still request an equivalent hearing, but it does not include appeal rights with the Tax Court and may not stop levies that are already underway.
Steps to Take Immediately After Receiving LT11
It’s normal to panic when you receive unexpected correspondence from the IRS, but you’ll have the best outcomes if you stay calm and follow these steps.
Don’t Ignore the Notice
If you’ve ignored CP14, CP501, and the other notices sent by the IRS regarding your tax debt, you may assume that you’re also safe to ignore this one. Unfortunately, this letter is the end of the line for your tax debt—if you ignore it, you will be hit with a levy. You must take this notice seriously and take immediate action to keep ownership of your assets.
Review the Letter Carefully
Read the letter in detail. It contains all of the information you need to get started. You’ll find the amount you owe, including the initial amount of the tax debt, the interest you owe, and the penalties you owe. Look for any inaccuracies in the notice, as you may want to discuss those with the IRS when you contact them.
Contact the IRS or a Tax Professional
Your next step is to call the IRS or a tax professional at Wiggam Law. If your situation is straightforward and you want to discuss it directly with the IRS, you can call them at the number provided on the notice. If your situation is more complex and you have no idea how to get back on track with your tax debt, a tax professional should be your first call. We can handle correspondence with the IRS on your behalf and help you find the best option for your financial situation.
If Applicable, Request a CDP Hearing
If you request a Collection Due Process hearing to challenge the amount owed or ask for other payment options, do not miss the 30-day deadline. On Form 12153, you’ll need to note why you’re requesting a hearing, whether any proposed collection alternatives would suit your situation, and the reason for your hearing.
Potential Consequences of Ignoring LT11
Ignoring LT11 will have a significant and immediate impact on your finances and your financial stability.
Levy Actions
Once the 30-day window has closed after the IRS sends LT11, they are legally free to levy your assets as they see fit. In extreme cases, you could lose everything in your bank account, a significant portion of your wages, and even your home. The IRS can even seize certain types of Social Security benefits and other government payments, including payments to government contractors.
Impact of a Federal Tax Lien
If the IRS places a federal tax lien on your assets, that lien covers all of your assets. That lien notifies your creditors that another creditor has priority over them, which prevents you from selling the asset, refinancing it, or tapping into its equity. While federal tax liens are no longer shown on credit reports, they are publicly available, so creditors can easily access them if they search.
FAST Act Implications
The FAST Act allows the IRS to work with the State Department to revoke passports or deny passport applications from those who are seriously delinquent on their taxes. As of 2024, tax debts over $62,000 per year are considered “seriously delinquent.” This amount is changed each year to account for inflation.
Resources and Help
An IRS levy can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Fortunately, many resources and guides can help you navigate this confusing time.
IRS forms and publications have the thorough and in-depth information you need to apply for a CDP hearing, request assistance, and handle your tax debt. Start your search here:
- Publication 594: The IRS Collection Process
- Publication 1660: Collection Appeal Rights
- Form 12153: Request for a Collection Due Process or Equivalent Hearing
Getting Professional Help
If you’re concerned about contacting the IRS on your own and exploring payment options, you’re not alone. Many people are worried about the no-nonsense reputation the IRS has, and as a result, they put off asking for help until it’s almost too late. We’re here to help—our team of experienced tax attorneys knows the wide range of payment options available to you, and we’ll help you plan your next steps.
If you’ve received letter LT11 in the mail, it is crucial that you respond to it immediately. The sooner you take action, the more time you have to assess your options and start getting your past-due taxes back on track. You have rights throughout this process, including the right to seek alternative payment options and the right to a CDP hearing.
Whatever option you choose, contacting the IRS or the team at Wiggam Law can help you comply with IRS requirements. Call us at (404) 233-9800 or fill out our online consultation form to schedule a meeting with us today.