IRS LT11 (Letter 1058) Final Notice of Intent to Levy: What It Means and How to Stop a Wage or Bank Levy
Receiving an IRS LT11 (Letter 1058) can feel like the moment everything becomes urgent—because it is. This notice is commonly titled “Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing.” In plain terms, the IRS is telling you: we intend to levy (seize) money or property to pay the tax debt, and your appeal window is limited.
The good news is that an LT11/1058 does not mean it’s “too late.” It means you need to take the right steps quickly and strategically, based on your facts.
This guide explains what the LT11/1058 is, why it matters, what deadlines are involved, and the most common paths used to stop levy action.
What an LT11 (Letter 1058) means
An LT11/1058 is one of the IRS’s final collection notices before levy action. A levy is different from a lien:
A lien is a legal claim against your property.
A levy is the IRS actually taking money or property to apply to the debt.
When you receive LT11/1058, the IRS is signaling that your account is in active collections and enforcement is on the table if the issue is not addressed.
Why this notice is different from earlier IRS letters
Most IRS notice sequences begin with balance-due letters that escalate in seriousness over time. LT11/1058 is different because it includes two critical components:
Intent to levy (enforcement authority is moving closer), and
A right to request a hearing (your appeal rights have a firm window).
This is a “decision point” notice. The IRS is giving you a final opportunity to respond through formal channels before taking levy action.
The deadline that matters: your appeal window
The LT11/1058 gives you the right to request a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing. A CDP request is typically the strongest procedural protection available at this stage.
Important: The deadline is time-sensitive. Your notice will specify the date and your response timeline. If you miss the CDP window, you may still have options, but your leverage and protections can be very different.
What to do immediately:
Locate the notice date and any response deadline printed on the letter.
Keep the envelope if you have it.
Do not ignore the timeline while you “figure out what to do next.”
If you want a quick refresher on what you’re entitled to in the IRS process, start here: The Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
What can the IRS levy?
The IRS can levy different types of assets depending on your situation and what’s available, including:
Bank accounts
Wages (wage levy / wage garnishment)
Certain payments (depending on circumstances)
Other property in more severe cases
Most people are primarily concerned with wage levies and bank levies, so let’s clarify the difference.
Wage levy vs. bank levy: what’s the practical difference?
Wage levy (paycheck levy)
A wage levy attaches to wages going forward and can continue until the debt is resolved, the levy is released, or the collection situation changes. This is one reason acting early matters—wage levies can create an ongoing cash-flow crisis.
Bank levy
A bank levy typically targets funds in your account on the date the levy hits. Timing and banking procedures matter here. It can be disruptive immediately, especially for business owners who rely on accounts for payroll, operations, or tax deposits.
**Both types are serious, and both can often be prevented or stopped with the right approach—**but the approach depends on your compliance status and the specifics of your account.
The 5 most common ways to stop or prevent a levy
There is no single best solution for everyone. The IRS is concerned with two things at this stage: compliance and collection. Below are common paths that can stop levy action when they fit your facts.
1) Confirm filing compliance (this matters more than people realize)
If you have unfiled returns, the IRS may refuse or delay certain resolution options until you are compliant. In many cases, the fastest path forward begins with getting missing returns filed correctly and getting the account “processable” for resolution.
If you’re missing returns, getting current is often step one — here’s what to do if you’ve been identified as a non-filer: IRS Non-Filers Identified: What to Do.
2) Enter or update a payment arrangement
For many taxpayers, a properly structured payment arrangement is a practical path to stabilize the situation. The key is that the arrangement must be realistic and supported by your financial profile.
If you already have a plan in place and it no longer works, there may be legitimate routes to revisit it—especially when income or expenses have changed.
3) Request protection through a CDP hearing when appropriate
A timely CDP request can pause or limit collection actions while the appeal is pending (this is fact-dependent, and timing matters). It also allows you to raise certain issues formally, including alternative resolution options and, in limited cases, challenges to the underlying liability.
4) Consider hardship-based collection status (when cash flow is truly constrained)
When a taxpayer cannot meet basic living expenses (or a business cannot remain viable), there may be relief pathways that focus on financial hardship. This is not a loophole. It requires credible documentation and accurate financial disclosure.
5) Settle when settlement is genuinely supported
Some people immediately jump to Offer in Compromise (OIC) after receiving an LT11/1058. An OIC can be a legitimate option when it is supported by your full financial picture and compliance status. It is not “easy,” and it is not right for everyone—but it can be appropriate in the right circumstances.
For some taxpayers, an Offer in Compromise can be a fit — but only when the numbers support it. Here’s an overview: Offer in Compromise.
What NOT to do when you receive an LT11/1058
If you want the best outcome, avoid these common mistakes:
Ignoring the letter while hoping the IRS “won’t follow through”
Calling without a plan and providing inconsistent information
Making partial payments randomly without addressing the strategy
Submitting forms or financials that are incomplete or inaccurate
Assuming you can “pause everything” without a formal process
At this stage, the IRS has moved beyond routine billing. Your response should be organized and defensible.
A calm 30-minute checklist for next steps
If you received LT11/1058, here are practical steps you can take right away:
Read the entire notice and identify the deadline.
Confirm which tax years and amounts are included.
Gather your recent income documentation (pay stubs, P&L if self-employed, bank statements).
Verify your filing status (are all returns filed?).
Do not miss the hearing deadline if a CDP request is appropriate.
Avoid “guessing” on any forms—accuracy matters.
Need help evaluating your LT11/1058 and next steps?
If you’ve received an LT11 (Letter 1058) and you’re concerned about a wage levy or bank levy, the most important thing is getting a clear plan based on your facts—not guessing.
Contact us today, you’ll answer a few quick questions so we can understand your situation and advise on the most appropriate next step.
Educational disclaimer: This article is general information and is not legal or tax advice for your specific situation. Your options depend on your facts, filing history, and the IRS collection posture on your account.