Taxpayers Help

The IRS offers options for short-term and long-term payment plans (paying in 120 days or less), including Installment Agreements via the Online Payment Agreement (OPA) system (paying monthly) . 

​

If you are an individual, you may qualify to apply online if:

• Long-term payment plan (installment agreement): You owe $50,000 or less in combined tax, penalties and interest, and filed all required returns.

• Short-term payment plan: You owe less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest.

 

If you are a business, you may qualify to apply online if:

• Long-term payment plan (installment agreement): You have filed all required returns and owe $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties, and interest.

 

If you are a sole proprietor or independent contractor, apply for a payment plan as an individual.

 

Installment Agreement options are available for taxpayers who cannot pay their balance, but can pay their balance over time. The IRS expanded Installment Agreement options to remove the requirement for financial statements and substantiation in more circumstances for balances owed up to $250,000 if the monthly payment proposal is sufficient. The IRS also modified Installment Agreement procedures to further limit requirements for Federal Tax Lien determinations for some taxpayers who only owe for tax year 2019.

​

In addition to payment plans and Installment Agreements, the IRS offers additional tools to assist taxpayers who owe taxes:

​

Temporarily Delaying Collection — Taxpayers can contact the IRS to request a temporary delay of the collection process. If the IRS determines a taxpayer is unable to pay, it may delay collection until the taxpayer's financial condition improves.

​

Offer in Compromise — Certain taxpayers qualify to settle their tax bill for less than the amount they owe by submitting an Offer in Compromise. To help determine eligibility, use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool. Now, the IRS is offering additional flexibility for some taxpayers who are temporarily unable to meet the payment terms of an accepted offer in compromise.

​

Relief from Penalties — The IRS is highlighting reasonable cause assistance available for taxpayers with failure to file, pay and deposit penalties. First-time penalty abatement relief is also available for the first time a taxpayer is subject to one or more of these tax penalties.

All taxpayers can access important information on IRS.gov. Many taxpayers requesting payment plans, including Installment

 

Agreements, can apply through IRS.gov without ever having to talk to a representative.

Other requests, including this new relief, can be made by contacting the number on the taxpayer's notice or responding in writing. However, to request relief, the IRS reminds taxpayers they must be responsive when they receive a balance due notice.

​

"If you're having a tax issue, don't go silent. Please don't ignore the notice arriving in your mailbox," Guillot said. "These problems don't get better with time. We understand tax issues and know that dealing with the IRS can be intimidating, but our employees really are here to help."

Throughout COVID-19, the IRS has continued to adjust operations to help ensure the health and safety of employees and taxpayers, including the extensive and temporary relief of the IRS People First Initiative.