Notice code 515 (Default) — We combined your ordinary income amounts from Form 1099 distributions and refigured your tax on Form…

We combined your ordinary income amounts from Form 1099 distributions and refigured your tax on Form 4972, Tax on Lump-Sum Distributions, using the ten-year averaging method. You may choose only one method on Form 4972 to compute the tax on your total distributions.

What this notice is saying

Use the free strategy session if the letter is unclear, high dollar, or collection language appears.

Read the deadline

Response or collection dates on the letter matter more than internet scare stories.

Match the facts

Compare the notice to your return, books, and third-party forms before you reply.

Pick a path

Pay, installment, relief, CNC, or hearing rights — fit-checked to your cash and liability.

Keep books honest

Resolution fails when the ledger cannot defend the story. We align numbers with the plan.

Talk it through free

What to do next

Practical steps before fear takes the wheel. Bound from irs_notice.what_to_do.

Immediate steps

Resolves at publish from the catalog row.

What the IRS language says

We combined your ordinary income amounts from Form 1099 distributions and refigured your tax on Form 4972, Tax on Lump-Sum Distributions, using the ten-year averaging method. You may choose only one method on Form 4972 to compute the tax on your total distributions.

What it usually means

515 is in our IR Manual catalog. Official wording is dense — we translate it for business owners and individuals and map realistic next steps.

Related

Free strategy session · IRS-aware · no scare tactics

Book free session