VarStan Response Desk

A tax notice isn't an emergency when someone reads them for a living.

CP2000, CP14, levy notices, ACA penalties, Massachusetts DOR letters. We identify what you received, confirm the deadline, and respond with calm precision — flat fee wherever the work is routine.

What is an IRS notice?

It's a letter, not a verdict.


Most IRS notices are automated. They propose a change or state a balance — and they are frequently wrong, or right for the wrong reason. The response is where the outcome is decided, and almost every notice has a deadline. The job is to read it correctly and answer it precisely, before the clock runs out.

Common notice types

Find the notice you received


Each links to a plain-English page on what it means, why it arrived, and how we respond. Don't see yours? The last card covers everything else.

CP14

Balance Due Notice

CP14 is the most common notice the IRS sends. It says you owe tax, penalties, or interest. It is usually correct — but n…

Read more
CP2000

Underreporter Notice

The IRS thinks the income reported on your return doesn't match what third parties reported. Often the IRS is partly rig…

Read more
CP2030

Business Underreporter Notice

The IRS believes income reported to your corporation or partnership doesn't match the return. The mechanics mirror a CP2…

Read more
CP3219A

Statutory Notice of Deficiency (90-Day Letter)

This is the Statutory Notice of Deficiency. You have exactly 90 days to petition the U.S. Tax Court — there is no extens…

Read more
CP504

Notice of Intent to Levy

CP504 is a notice of intent to seize your state tax refund — and a clear signal the IRS is preparing to levy bank accoun…

Read more
CP501

Balance Due Reminder

CP501 follows an earlier CP14 that wasn't paid or answered. The amount is the same balance plus added interest. It's sti…

Read more
Letter 226-J

ACA Employer Shared Responsibility

This letter proposes an Employer Shared Responsibility Payment under the Affordable Care Act. Proposed assessments routi…

Read more
MA DOR

Massachusetts Department of Revenue Notices

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue runs its own notice and assessment process through MassTaxConnect. Deadlines, ab…

Read more
All notices

Any IRS or State Notice

CP, LT, and Letter series; state equivalents; matching notices, assessments, levies, and audits. If it came from a tax a…

Read more
How VarStan responds

Three steps, no drama


Send us the notice

Snap a photo or upload the letter. On a free 15-minute call we identify the notice type, confirm the deadline, and tell you the tier and fee in writing.

We reconcile and draft

We check the authority's figures against your records, find the errors that are usually there, and draft a precise, documented response.

We file and follow up

We submit the response on your behalf, track the matter to closure, and send you a plain-English closure letter when it's resolved.

Transparent, flat-fee pricing

You'll know the cost before we start


No hourly surprises on routine notices. We confirm the tier on your free triage call and put the fee in writing.

Tier 1
$295 flat fee

Simple notices

  • CP501, CP14, balance-due reminders
  • Notice review & deadline confirmation
  • One drafted response letter
  • Filed on your behalf
Tier 3
from $1,495 scoped quote

Urgent & high-stakes

  • CP3219A, CP504, Letter 226-J
  • Tax Court petition support
  • Penalty abatement requests
  • Direct IRS / DOR representation
Tier 4
$350 per hour

Examination & appeals

  • Full audit representation
  • Appeals conferences
  • Complex multi-year matters
  • Quoted in writing before work begins
Common questions

Before you call us back, read this


How fast do you respond to a notice?
We hold the free triage call within a day or two of hearing from you, then turn around routine (Tier 1–2) responses inside two to three business days. Urgent collection and deficiency notices are prioritized.
Do I need to come into the office?
No. The whole process works remotely — upload the notice, meet by video, and we file on your behalf. We're based in Needham Heights for clients who prefer to meet in person.
What if my notice has a deadline this week?
Tell us on booking and we'll prioritize it. Most notices have more room than they appear to — but a CP3219A 90-day letter is absolute, so the sooner we see it, the better.
Is the triage call really free?
Yes. Fifteen minutes to identify the notice, confirm your deadline, and give you a written fee. There's no obligation to engage us afterward.

Got a notice? Let's read it together.

Book a free 15-minute triage call. We'll tell you exactly what you're looking at, what the deadline is, and what it costs to handle — in writing.

Book a free 15-minute triage call