A requirement to pay can freeze funds in an account without any prior court proceeding.

What this means for you

Representation is optional at every stage, but the further a file progresses — from initial contact to formal objection to Tax Court — the more a second set of eyes tends to help, particularly around whether a position is worth contesting versus resolving quickly.

What you can do next

  • Read the notice in full before responding to anything
  • Note every date mentioned, not just the one in bold
  • Keep a copy of everything you send, including the envelope or email header

Contacting the collections officer directly, rather than the general line, is usually the faster path to a resolution.