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CP501· Collection / payment due

CP501 — First reminder of unpaid balance

First reminder that a balance is still owed after a previous balance-due notice went unanswered.
Pub 1660 (CAP)2026-05-09Form 94652026-05-09
Category
Collection
Urgency
Date on notice
Response window
see notice
Key form
Form 9465

Respond by the date printed on your individual notice.

Why the IRS sent this

The IRS has not received payment or a response to the previous balance-due notice.

Response window

Notice received
Respond bydate on your notice

The IRS detail page for CP501 does not state a fixed day count. The response-by date is printed on your individual notice — read the date at the top-right corner.

What to do

Required action

Pay the balance by the date printed on your notice, set up a payment plan, or contact the IRS at the toll-free number if disputing.

Key form: Form 9465 — verify the current revision on irs.gov/forms-pubs before filing.

Appeal path

Collection Appeals Program (CAP)

Collection Appeals Program (CAP) is available informally before levy action. Call the IRS at the number on the notice to begin a CAP request.

Pub 1660

Go deeper

Educational pillars for this notice

Calm-corrective

Only the IRS can resolve your notice

We are not a CPA firm, not a law firm, not an Enrolled Agent firm, and not affiliated with the IRS. We don't accept payments on your behalf, settle your debt, or call the IRS for you. What we do: explain what your notice means, point you to the right IRS form, cite the statute that authorizes the action, and surface the appeal path. Then you call the number on the notice, file the form, or hire a licensed professional.

Related notices

Likely next or sibling codes

Source

Verified against the official IRS detail page on irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp501-notice. Always re-verify against the IRS page before acting.