Anthoney E. Parent answers your tax questions. What to do when you get certified mail from the IRS. Most creditors have to sue you in court to collect from you. The IRS has only to send you a few notices, then they can start the collections process. We understand that most people don't want to open their mail from the IRS, because it's scary and hard to understand. But if you DO open your IRS mail, it keeps the door open for you to be able to take measures to keep your appeal rights open. It helps us to help you! We can still do a Collection Due Process Hearing if the time hasn't run out to take care of it. We like to be able to keep the option of taking your case to tax court if necessary, it can be a great bargaining chip with the IRS. If you live in Brooklyn, New York, and need help with a tax problem, call at 888-477-4258.