Tool 2: Tax Debt Inventory
Use a tax-debt inventory worksheet to organize IRS balances by year, collect notice details and identify missing account information before acting.
When to use this
Use this worksheet when you have balances for more than one tax year, several notices, or an account balance you cannot yet explain. It gives you one place to organize the periods before you call the IRS or compare resolution options.
Gather account transcripts, filed returns, payment confirmations and the notices you received. Keep each tax period on its own row; do not combine a joint income-tax balance with a business payroll-tax balance. Mark missing information as unknown rather than guessing.
The inventory organizes evidence; it is not a new IRS balance calculation. Verify dates and amounts against your records, and use the IRS communication log to track questions that still need answers. An estimated collection deadline is not a confirmed expiration date.
Worksheet
One row per tax period. Fill from your account transcript.
Scroll horizontally if needed to see all columns.
| Tax period | Return filed on | Assessed on (code 150 or 290 date) | Tax | Penalties | Interest | Payments | Balance | Most recent notice | Final notice sent? | Estimated CSED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Related reference guides
- IRS account transcripts: How to get one and read the codes
Get an IRS account transcript and understand TC 971, 150, 290 and 806, transaction dates, withholding credits, zero-dollar entries and notice limits.
- Self-employed and gig taxes: Estimates and 1099-K mismatches
Plan estimated taxes, reconcile 1099-K gross payments without double-counting income, correct errors and respond to IRS mismatches before debt grows.
- State tax debt: Official collection resources for every state
Find official tax collection, payment-plan and taxpayer-rights resources for all 50 states and D.C. Keep state notices and deadlines separate from IRS rules.
- CP14Balance due (first bill)
- CP501Reminder of balance due
- CP2566Proposed tax calculation for a missing return
- CP2566RProposed tax after an unanswered refund hold
- CP88Tax refund held for missing personal tax returns
- CP49Refund applied to tax debt
- CP63Refund held for missing tax returns
- CP59BBusiness missing-return notice — verify instructions
- CP515BBusiness missing-return reminder — verify instructions
- CP518BFinal reminder to file a business tax return
- CP259Request to file a business tax return
- CP516Missing-return reminder — verify business instructions
- CP59Missing individual tax return
- CP515Reminder to file an individual tax return
- CP518Final reminder to file an individual tax return
- CP22ATax return changes resulted in a balance due
- CP161Unpaid business or other tax account balance
- Letter 1277Appeals decision on a penalty adjustment request
- Letter 4903Verify a letter requesting a missing tax return
- CP2501Income or payment mismatch requiring a response
- Letter 525Audit report and general 30-day response letter
- Letter 95030-day letter for unagreed examination adjustments