Ways to Resolve Tax Debt That Could Save You Money
Taxpayers unable to pay all taxes due on the bill are encouraged to pay as much as possible. By paying as much as possible now, the amount of penalties and interest owed will be lessened. They should then immediately call the number or write to the address on the bill they receive, or visit the nearest IRS office to explain their situation.
Based on the circumstances, a taxpayer could qualify for an agreement to full pay within 60 or 120 days. The IRS is willing to offer these short term agreements to full pay in order to assist in tax debt repayment. A taxpayer can request an agreement length depending on the specific situation. Penalties and interest incurred will be less through an agreement to full pay within 60 or 120 days rather than seeking to enter into an installment agreement.
If a taxpayer cannot make payment in full upon receipt of the bill, the IRS may request a Collection Information Statement (CIS) to compare individual or business monthly income with expenses and to assist in determining a payment plan.
More ways taxpayers can resolve their debt include:
* Monthly payments through an Installment Agreement,
* Temporary delay or significant hardship consideration, or
* Offer in Compromise
Also consider the following:
* Cash advances on credit cards
* Bank loans
* Liquidating savings accounts, savings bonds, stocks, etc.
* Borrowing against 401(k), life insurance, etc.
Payment Plans, Installment Agreements
You can make monthly payments through an installment agreement if you're not financially able to pay your tax debt immediately. However, you will reduce or eliminate the amount of penalties and interest you pay and avoid the fee associated with setting up an installment agreement if you pay your tax bill in full. Before you apply:
* File all required tax returns;
* Consider other sources (loan or credit card) to pay your tax debt in full to save money;
* Determine the largest monthly payment you can make ($25 minimum); and
* Know that your future refunds will be applied to your tax debt until it is paid in full.
Avoid the fee for setting up an installment agreement
Pay the full amount you owe within 120 days to avoid the fee. You should apply online to specify this option (or call if you owe more than $25,000). If you cannot pay the full amount within 120 days, the fee for setting up an agreement is:
* $52 for a direct debit agreement;
* $105 for a standard agreement or payroll deduction agreement; or
* $43 if your income is below a certain level.
Apply for an installment agreement
* Apply online if you owe $25,000 or less in combined individual income tax, penalties and interest;
* Call the phone number on your bill or notice;
* Complete and mail Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request (PDF). If you owe more than $25,000, you will also need to complete Form 433-F, Collection Information Statement (PDF).
Understand your agreement, avoid default
To keep your account in good standing:
* Pay at least your minimum monthly payment when it's due (direct debit or payroll deductions make this easy);
* Include your name, address, SSN, daytime phone number, tax year and return type on your payment;
* File all required tax returns on time;
* Pay all taxes you owe in full and on time (contact us to change your existing agreement if you cannot);
* Continue to make all scheduled payments even if we apply your refund to your account balance; and
* Ensure your statement is sent to the correct address, contact us if you move or complete and mail Form 8822, Change of Address (PDF).
If you don't receive your statement, send your payment to the address listed in your agreement.
There may be a reinstatement fee if your agreement goes into default. Penalties and interest continue to accrue until your balance is paid in full. If you are in danger of defaulting on your payment agreement for any reason, contact the IRS immediately. The IRS will generally not take enforced collection actions:
* When an installment agreement is being considered;
* While an agreement is in effect;
* For 30 days after a request is rejected, or
* During the period the IRS evaluates an appeal of a rejected or terminated agreement.
Temporarily Delay the Collection Process
If we determine that you cannot pay any of your tax debt, we may temporarily delay collection until your financial condition improves. You should know that if we do delay collecting from you, your debt will increase because penalties and interest are charged until you pay the full amount. During a temporary delay, we will again review your ability to pay. We may also file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien to protect the government's interest in your assets.
Offer in Compromise
An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It may be a legitimate option if you can't pay your full tax liability, or doing so creates a financial hardship. We consider your unique set of facts and circumstances:
* Ability to pay;
* Income;
* Expenses; and
* Asset equity.
We generally approve an offer in compromise when the amount offered represents the most we can expect to collect within a reasonable period of time. Explore all other payment options before submitting an offer in compromise.
Make sure you are eligible
Before we can consider your offer, you must be current with all filing and payment requirements. You are not eligible if you are in an open bankruptcy proceeding.
Submit your offer
You'll find step-by-step instructions and all the forms for submitting an offer in the Offer in Compromise Booklet, Form 656-B (PDF). Your completed offer package will include:
* Form 433-A (OIC) (individuals) or 433-B (OIC) (businesses) and all required documentation as specified on the forms;
* Form 656;
* $150 application fee (non-refundable); and
* Initial payment (non-refundable).
Select a payment option
Your initial payment will vary based on your offer and the payment option you choose:
* Option 1: Submit an initial payment of 20 percent of the total offer amount with your application. Wait for written acceptance, then pay the remaining balance of the offer in five or fewer payments.
* Option 2: Submit your initial payment with your application. Continue to pay the remaining balance in monthly installments while the IRS considers your offer. If accepted, continue to pay monthly until it is paid in full.
If you meet the Low Income Certification guidelines, you do not have to send the application fee or the initial payment and you will not need to make monthly installments during the evaluation of your offer. See your application package for details.
Understand the process
While your offer is being evaluated:
* Your non-refundable payments and fees will be applied to the tax liability (you may designate payments to a specific tax year and tax debt);
* A Notice of Federal Tax Lien may be filed;
* Other collection activities are suspended;
* The legal assessment and collection period is extended;
* Make all required payments associated with your offer;
* You are not required to make payments on an existing installment agreement; and
* Your offer is automatically accepted if the IRS does not make a determination within two years of the IRS receipt date.
If your offer is accepted
* You must meet all the Offer Terms listed in Section 8 of Form 656, including filing all required tax returns and making all payments;
* Any refunds due within the calendar year in which your offer is accepted will be applied to your tax debt;
* Federal tax liens are not released until your offer terms are satisfied; and
* Certain offer information is available for public review at designated IRS offices.
If your offer is rejected
* You may appeal a rejection within 30 days using Request for Appeal of Offer in Compromise, Form 13711 (PDF).
How Borrowing Money to Pay Your Taxes Could Cost You Less Than An Installment Agreement
If you owe $10,000 in taxes and you are considering entering into an installment agreement for 36 months, your payments could be as high as $339 per month including interest at the rate of 5 percent and failure to pay penalty of up to 1 percent each month. Keep in mind that these interest rates are subject to change quarterly. Since these rates change periodically and may increase, the taxpayer could end up paying even more. In this situation, you could save $2,247 by paying all of the taxes now rather than entering into an installment agreement. An installment agreement would cost a total of $12,204 in payments.
In addition, effective January 1, 2007, the new installment agreement user fee is $105 and $52 for agreements where payments are deducted directly from your bank account. Taxpayers with income at or below established levels, based on the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines, can apply and be qualified to pay a reduced user fee of $43 for establishing new agreements, including agreements where payments are deducted directly from your bank account.
A Notice of Federal Tax Lien may also be filed against your property to secure the governments interest against other creditors while the installment agreement is in effect.
A more favorable solution to resolve the debt would be to obtain a loan from a bank or other financial institution, or pay taxes using a charge card
Read our latest tax news, and search for other articles related to the IRS and tax filing.
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Credit Tip: Bank officers frequently tell their friends and family not to keep accounts at the same bank that issues their credit card. That's because the bank might withdraw cash from your account without your permission to pay off overdue credit card payments.