Received an IRS Letter in Orange County? Here’s What It Means and What to Do

Introduction

If you’ve received a letter from the IRS and live in Orange County, CA, your heart may have skipped a beat — and you’re not alone. Every year, millions of taxpayers receive IRS notices for reasons ranging from missing tax returns to unpaid back taxes and audit triggers.

The worst thing you can do? Ignore it. The best thing you can do? Get informed and take action—fast .

At Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC , we help individuals and business owners in Orange County interpret IRS letters, respond correctly, and resolve tax issues before they escalate into liens, levies, or wage garnishments. In fact, we’re often the first call people make when they need to get help responding to IRS letters in Orange County.

This guide will walk you through exactly what IRS letters mean, why you got one, and what steps to take next.

Why Did I Get an IRS Letter?

The IRS communicates almost exclusively by mail. If something is off with your tax filings, payments, or identity, you’ll get a letter — not a phone call or email.

Common Reasons You Might Receive an IRS Notice:

• Unfiled or missing tax returns
• Unpaid back taxes
• Math or reporting errors on your return
• IRS audit notification
• Identity verification requests
• Wage garnishment or levy warning
• Rejected Offer in Compromise or payment plan

If you live in Orange County, it's especially important to take action quickly due to California’s cost of living and aggressive IRS regional collection practices. It’s crucial to avoid IRS enforcement by acting on your notice—waiting too long could lead to collections, liens, or wage garnishments.

Most Common IRS Letters (And What They Mean)

Here are the most common IRS letters that show up in Orange County mailboxes:

1. CP14 – Balance Due Notice

The IRS says you owe money. This is your first bill for unpaid taxes.

What to do: Don’t ignore it. Call a local CPA to verify the amount, check for penalties, and settle tax debt if the notice includes a balance due.

2. CP2000 – Underreported Income Notice

This means the IRS has matched data from employers, banks, or brokers and found income you didn’t report.

What to do: Review carefully. You may owe more—or it could be a mistake. We help Orange County taxpayers dispute CP2000 notices when incorrect and understand IRS certified mail notices that may seem intimidating at first glance.

3. Letter 1058 / LT11 – Final Notice of Intent to Levy

This is serious. The IRS plans to garnish your wages or levy your bank account.

What to do: Call us immediately. You have only 30 days to respond or request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing.

4. Letter 226-J – Employer Shared Responsibility Payment

Applicable to business owners under the Affordable Care Act. The IRS believes your company owes penalties for not providing proper health coverage.

What to do: Don’t accept it at face value. We’ve helped many Orange County employers reduce or eliminate these proposed penalties.

5.  CP504 – Urgent Notice of Intent to Levy State Refund

The IRS plans to take your California state refund.

What to do: It’s not too late. We can often handle a CP504 before it leads to a levy and protect your refund.

6. Letter 4883C or 5071C – Identity Verification Letter

The IRS wants to confirm your identity before processing your return.

What to do: This is not a scam. You’ll need to call or go online to verify. We help Orange County residents respond correctly and securely.

7. LT16 – Reminder of Intent to Levy

This is a softer warning, but don’t ignore it. The IRS is reminding you that they have the right to garnish if you don’t respond.

What to do: Act now. We can often stop collections with a simple call and a structured resolution plan.

What to Do When You Receive an IRS Letter in Orange County

1. Read the Letter Carefully

IRS letters always include:

• The notice or letter number (top right corner)
• The tax year involved
• A deadline to respond
• Specific actions or next steps

Don’t make assumptions. Every IRS letter is different.

2. Don’t Panic — and Don’t Ignore It

Many IRS letters are automated or based on errors. Ignoring it can lead to:

• Accruing penalties and interest
• Loss of appeal rights
• Forced collections (garnishments, levies)

3. Call a Local Orange County CPA or Tax Professional

There’s no one-size-fits-all response. A local expert who understands both IRS procedures and California-specific tax laws can:

• Interpret your notice accurately
• Contact the IRS on your behalf
• Prevent collections
• Negotiate payment options or settlements

At Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, we’re based right here in Orange County and work with local IRS offices.

4. Gather Documentation

Depending on the letter, you may need:

• Tax returns (prior and current years)
• W-2s, 1099s, bank records
• Notices from other tax agencies (e.g., California FTB)

We’ll review your records and spot discrepancies that could help you challenge the IRS’s claims.

5. Respond Before the Deadline

IRS letters include response deadlines—some as short as 30 days.

Missing these can lead to:

• Automatic liens or garnishments
• Waived rights to appeal
• Ineligibility for favorable resolution programs (like Offer in Compromise)

We make sure your response is timely, accurate, and backed by documentation.

How We Help Orange County Residents Respond to IRS Notices

At Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC, we offer:

• Same-day IRS letter reviews
• Direct IRS representation (you don’t have to call them yourself)
• Negotiation of payment plans or settlements
• Filing of missing or amended returns
• Protection from liens, levies, and garnishments

Whether your issue is simple or serious, we’ve helped countless Orange County taxpayers resolve it efficiently.

Real Success Story

“I received a CP2000 notice saying I underreported by $27,000. I had no idea what it meant. I called Boulanger CPA and within 24 hours they filed a response with supporting documentation. The IRS reduced my tax bill from $6,800 to $213. I couldn’t be more relieved.” – James T., Costa Mesa

IRS Letters Are NOT the End — They're the Beginning of Your Resolution

If you’re in Orange County and just received a notice from the IRS, don’t let fear paralyze you. The IRS is required to give you due process — but only if you respond in time.

With help from a trusted local tax resolution CPA, you can:

• Eliminate penalties
• Prevent aggressive collections
• Settle your debt affordably
• Get peace of mind back

Call Today for IRS Letter Help in Orange County

📍 Visit Us: https://www.orangecounty.cpa

📞 Call Now: 657-218-5700

📧 Schedule a Free IRS Letter Review

We’ll review your notice, explain exactly what it means, and outline your best next steps — at no cost.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always consult a licensed tax professional about your specific situation.