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Official form guide
Form 12256: Withdrawal of Request for Collection Due Process or Equivalent Hearing
Internal Revenue Service Form 12256 is the Withdrawal of Request for Collection Due Process or Equivalent Hearing. Taxpayers use it to formally withdraw a CDP hearing request under IRC Section 6320, 6330, or both.
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IRS Form 12256 - Withdrawal of Request for Collection Due Process or Equivalent Hearing
Internal Revenue Service Form 12256 is the Withdrawal of Request for Collection Due Process or Equivalent Hearing. Taxpayers use it to formally withdraw a CDP hearing request under IRC Section 6320, 6330, or both.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Withdrawing the request eliminates your right to a CDP hearing and related protections.
- 2Leaving the taxpayer name field blank
- 3Omitting the tax type or tax period information
- 4Failing to check any IRC Section box indicating the hearing request
- 5Not providing the SSN or EIN in the identification field
Plain English
Form 12256 lets a taxpayer cancel a previously filed request for a Collection Due Process hearing or an equivalent hearing. By signing, the taxpayer tells the IRS they no longer need the hearing and give up related rights. The IRS then stops any hearing‑related protections for the listed tax matters.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2020-05-12 22:13:47
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when the taxpayer has reached a resolution with the IRS regarding the tax and tax periods that the hearing request concerned and is satisfied that a hearing is no longer needed.
- Do not use this form when the taxpayer still requires a Collection Due Process hearing or wishes to retain the right to a hearing.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Resolved tax issue and no longer need CDP hearing
Withdraws the hearing request and gives up hearing rights
✓ Verify the IRS has received the withdrawal.
Both IRC Section 6320 and 6330 notices withdrawn
Ends suspension of levy and statute of limitations
✓ Confirm all tax periods are listed correctly.
Equivalent hearing request withdrawn
Removes right to a hearing with Appeals but retains other appeal rights
✓ Ensure you have attached the CDP notice if needed.
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Taxpayer name(s)
Legal name of the taxpayer · Form top line
Taxpayer address
Current mailing address · Form address fields
Type of tax/tax form*
Tax type or form number (e.g., 1040) · Tax notice or return
Tax period(s)*
Year(s) or period the hearing covered · Tax notice or assessment
Signature
Handwritten signature of taxpayer (or spouse) · Signature line
Before you submit
- 1Verify the taxpayer name(s) are entered exactly as on IRS records.
- 2Enter the complete taxpayer address, including city, state, and zip code.
- 3Check the appropriate IRC section box (6320, 6330, both, or Equivalent Hearing).
- 4List the type of tax/tax form and the tax period(s) if you choose not to attach the CDP notice.
- 5Attach a copy of the original Collection Due Process notice if you prefer not to list tax details.
- 6Sign the form in the taxpayer signature line and date it.
- 7Mail the completed form to the IRS address listed in the official instructions.
How to file this form
- 1Enter taxpayer name(s) and address in the designated fields.
- 2Mark the applicable IRC section(s) for which you are withdrawing the hearing request.
- 3Provide tax type/form number and period(s) or attach the CDP notice as instructed.
- 4Sign and date the form (and spouse or representative if applicable).
- 5Make a copy of the completed form for your records.
- 6Mail the original form to the IRS address provided in the instructions.
- 7Obtain a mailing receipt or proof of delivery as evidence of filing.
Known limitations
- 1The form does not preserve the right to a hearing with the Independent Office of Appeals.
- 2The form ends the suspension of levy action and the statute of limitations on the period of collection.
- 3The form relinquishes the right to seek judicial review in Tax Court of the Notice of Determination.
- 4The form does not affect any other appeal rights, such as those under the Collection Appeals Program (CAP).
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 12256 is the May 2020 revision (Rev. 5‑2020). The source does not indicate a later version or a “latest information” page.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form shows Rev. 5‑2020 (May 2020).
- Fee — Not stated in the official source.
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source.
- Signature — confirm the taxpayer (and spouse or representative if applicable) signs and dates the form.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain the signed Form 12256 and any attached documents for your records.
- 2Store the copy in a safe place for at least three years in case the IRS requests it.
- 3Monitor your mail for any IRS correspondence confirming receipt of the withdrawal.
- 4If an error is discovered, submit a corrected Form 12256 with a new signature.
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — title and purpose: Withdrawal of Request for Collection Due Process or Equivalent Hearing.
- SRCForm p.1 — checkbox options list IRC Sections 6320, 6330, both, and Equivalent Hearing.
- SRCForm p.1 — statement that withdrawing gives up right to a hearing with Appeals.
- SRCForm p.1 — statement that Appeals will not issue a Notice of Determination.
- SRCForm p.1 — statement that withdrawing ends levy suspension and statute of limitations suspension.
- SRCForm p.1 — statement that you do not give up other appeal rights such as CAP.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
Common confusion points
Do I still have a levy suspension after I withdraw my request?
The form states the suspension ends when the IRS receives the withdrawal.
→ Verify the IRS confirms the levy suspension is lifted.
Will the IRS still issue a Notice of Determination after I withdraw?
The form says Appeals will not issue a Notice of Determination.
→ Check that no Notice of Determination is received.
Can I still appeal through the Collection Appeals Program (CAP) after withdrawing?
The form notes you do not give up CAP rights.
→ Confirm you can still file a CAP appeal if needed.
Do I need to check a box for both IRC 6320 and 6330 if my original request covered both?
The form provides a separate “Both IRC Section 6320 and 6330 notices” option.
→ Select the appropriate combined box.
Is a spouse’s signature required on the withdrawal?
The form includes a line for a spouse’s signature if applicable.
→ Provide a spouse signature only if the original request listed a spouse.
Do I have to attach the original CDP notice to this form?
The form allows attaching a copy of the CDP notice instead of listing tax details.
→ Attach the notice if you prefer not to fill in tax type/form/period fields.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 12256 – contact the Independent Office of Appeals for clarification if rights were unintentionally waived.
Questions about IRS Form 12256
What is IRS Form 12256 used for?
Form 12256 lets a taxpayer cancel a previously filed request for a Collection Due Process hearing or an equivalent hearing. By signing, the taxpayer tells the IRS they no longer need the hearing and give up related rights. The IRS then stops any hearing‑related protections for the listed tax matters.
Who must file IRS Form 12256?
Any taxpayer who has filed a Collection Due Process or equivalent hearing request and now wishes to cancel that request files IRS Form 12256.
What information does IRS Form 12256 require?
The form collects the taxpayer's name, address, type of tax or tax form, tax period(s), and SSN or EIN, plus a check of the applicable IRC Section (6320, 6330, both, or equivalent hearing) and required signatures.
How do I complete IRS Form 12256?
Enter the taxpayer's name, address, tax type, tax period, and identification number in the top fields. Check the box that matches the hearing request being withdrawn (IRC Section 6320, 6330, both, or equivalent hearing). Sign and date the form as the taxpayer (and spouse or representative if applicable). Submit the completed form to the IRS as directed.
What happens if IRS Form 12256 is filed incorrectly?
Withdrawing the request removes the right to a CDP hearing, forfeits any future judicial review, and ends levy and statute‑of‑limitations suspensions for the tax periods.
Do I still have a levy suspension after I withdraw my request?
The form states the suspension ends when the IRS receives the withdrawal. Verify the IRS confirms the levy suspension is lifted.
Will the IRS still issue a Notice of Determination after I withdraw?
The form says Appeals will not issue a Notice of Determination. Check that no Notice of Determination is received.
Can I still appeal through the Collection Appeals Program (CAP) after withdrawing?
The form notes you do not give up CAP rights. Confirm you can still file a CAP appeal if needed.
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