Never Ignore an Official Letter From the Government, Tax Office, or a Court

The envelope sits on the counter. You know it is probably bad news. So you do not open it. A week passes, then two. Ignoring an official letter does not make its contents disappear — it makes the consequences worse. Unopened letters can contain deadlines for appeals, payment demands with escalating penalties, court summons, or notices that require a response within days.

The discomfort of opening the letter is always smaller than the consequences of ignoring it. A tax notice responded to on time might be a simple correction. The same notice ignored can turn into a lien on your property. Open it, read it, and act on it — or hand it to someone who can help you if you are overwhelmed.