Don't ignore it. Every IRS notice triggers an automatic escalation sequence. The process doesn't wait for you to feel ready. Ignoring a notice doesn't make the balance go away — it makes the options go away.
Don't call the IRS without representation. Anything you say can reset timelines, waive protections, or accelerate enforcement. You have the legal right to representation from the moment you receive a notice. Use it before you say a word.
The number on your notice is negotiable. Penalties can be challenged. Balances are often overstated. Programs exist specifically to reduce what you owe — Offer in Compromise, penalty abatement, installment agreements, CNC status. But they require correct timing and filing to activate. Waiting eliminates options one by one.