• You want to seek payment alternatives such as a payment plan or an offer in compromise. To get these plans accepted, you must file all delinquent returns.
• You have a terminal illness and overwhelming medical bills.
• You can’t pay because you’re living on Social Security or unemployment.
• You can’t afford to pay with your income—the IRS has strict guidelines on this type of hardship arrangement.

Generally, the IRS must issue a Notice of Intent to Levy and Right to Request a Hearing before it sends a levy. Requesting a Collection Due Process Hearing
Complete Form 12153 Request for a Collection Due Process Hearing, and send it to the IRS at the address shown on the lien or levy notice within 30 days.

The taxpayer should check the IRS actions that he disagrees with and explain why he disagrees with such actions.

If the taxpayer receives both a lien and a bank levy notice, the taxpayer may appeal both actions.

The taxpayer must identify all reasons for disagreement, and may raise the following issues relating to the unpaid tax:

a. Appropriateness of collection actions;

b. Collection alternatives such as installment plan, offer in compromise, posting a bond, or substitution of other assets;

c. Appropriate spousal defenses; and

d. The existence or amount of the tax, but only if the taxpayer did not receive a notice of deficiency or did not otherwise have an opportunity to dispute the tax liability.