The Tax Times: Everything You Wanted to Know About Installment Payment Plans, but Wished You Did Not Need to Ask

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Everything You Wanted to Know About Installment Payment Plans, but Wished You Did Not Need to Ask

If you're financially unable to pay your tax debt immediately, you can make monthly payments through an installment agreement. As long as you pay your tax debt in full, you can reduce or eliminate your payment of penalties or interest, and avoid the fee associated with setting up the agreement.

Before applying for any payment agreement, you must file all required tax returns.

You may be eligible to apply for a streamline payment agreement if:

Individuals must owe $50,000 or less in combined individual income tax, penalties and interest, and have filed all required returns.
Businesses must owe $25,000 or less in payroll taxes and have filed all required returns.

Even if you're ineligible for a Streamline payment agreement, you can still pay in installments

Complete and Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request and
Form 433-F, Collection Information Statement; then contact us for a Free Consultation.

Small Businesses can apply for an in-Business Trust Fund Express installment agreement

Understand your agreement & avoid default

Your future refunds will be applied to your tax debt until it is paid in full;
Pay at least your minimum monthly payment when it's due;
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 in-full and on time (contact us to change your existing agreement if you cannot);
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.

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 us immediately. We will generally can stop the IRS from taking 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.

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