Nine Tips for Taxpayers Who Owe Money to the IRS
Nine Tips for Taxpayers Who Owe Money to the IRS
If you get a bill this summer for late taxes, you are expected to promptly pay the tax owed, including any penalties and interest. If you are unable to pay the amount due, it is often in your best interest to get a loan to pay the bill in full rather than to make installment payments to the IRS. You can also pay the bill with your credit card. The interest rate on a credit card or bank loan may be lower than the combination of interest and penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. To pay by credit card, contact one of the following processing companies: Official Payments Corporation at 888-UPAY-TAX (also ) or Link2Gov at 888-PAY-1040 (also ) or RBS WorldPay, Inc at 888-9PAY-TAX (also ).
You can pay the balance owed by electronic funds transfer, check, money order, cashier’s check or cash. To pay using electronic funds transfer, you can take advantage of the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System by calling 800-555-4477 or online at .
You can request an installment agreement if you cannot pay the liability in full. This is an agreement between you and the IRS to pay the amount due in monthly installment payments. You must first file all returns that are required and be current with estimated tax payments.
If you owe $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties and interest, you can request an installment agreement using the Online Payment Agreement application at IRS.gov.
You can also complete and mail an IRS Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, along with your bill in the envelope you received from the IRS. The IRS will usually inform you within 30 days whether your request is approved, denied, or if additional information is needed. If the amount you owe is $25,000 or less, provide with your request the highest monthly amount you can pay.
You may still qualify for an installment agreement if you owe more than $25,000, but a Form 433F, Collection Information Statement, must be completed before an installment agreement can be considered. If your balance is over $25,000, consider your financial situation and propose the highest amount possible; the IRS will arrive at your payment amount based upon your financial information.
If an agreement is approved, you will be charged a one-time user fee. The user fee for a new agreement is $105, or $52 for agreements where payments are deducted directly from your bank account. Eligible individuals with incomes at or below certain levels pay a reduced fee of $43.
Taxpayers who have a balance due may want to consider changing their W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, with their employer. A withholding calculator available on IRS.gov can help you determine the amount to have withheld.
For more information about installment agreements and other payment options, visit IRS.gov. and also provide additional information regarding your payment options. These publications and can be obtained from or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
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IRS 9 Tips for Taxpayers Who Still Owe Money
You have several options available if you get a bill from Uncle Sam
IRS Tax Tips
Editor’s note: Content provided by the Internal Revenue Service. Consult your financial or tax adviser regarding your individual situation. Did you end up owing taxes this year? The vast majority of Americans get a from the IRS each spring, but those who receive a bill may not know that the IRS has a number of ways for people to pay. Here are nine tips for taxpayers who owe money to the IRS.If you get a bill this summer for late taxes, you are expected to promptly pay the tax owed, including any penalties and interest. If you are unable to pay the amount due, it is often in your best interest to get a loan to pay the bill in full rather than to make installment payments to the IRS. You can also pay the bill with your credit card. The interest rate on a credit card or bank loan may be lower than the combination of interest and penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. To pay by credit card, contact one of the following processing companies: Official Payments Corporation at 888-UPAY-TAX (also ) or Link2Gov at 888-PAY-1040 (also ) or RBS WorldPay, Inc at 888-9PAY-TAX (also ).
You can pay the balance owed by electronic funds transfer, check, money order, cashier’s check or cash. To pay using electronic funds transfer, you can take advantage of the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System by calling 800-555-4477 or online at .
You can request an installment agreement if you cannot pay the liability in full. This is an agreement between you and the IRS to pay the amount due in monthly installment payments. You must first file all returns that are required and be current with estimated tax payments.
If you owe $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties and interest, you can request an installment agreement using the Online Payment Agreement application at IRS.gov.
You can also complete and mail an IRS Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, along with your bill in the envelope you received from the IRS. The IRS will usually inform you within 30 days whether your request is approved, denied, or if additional information is needed. If the amount you owe is $25,000 or less, provide with your request the highest monthly amount you can pay.
You may still qualify for an installment agreement if you owe more than $25,000, but a Form 433F, Collection Information Statement, must be completed before an installment agreement can be considered. If your balance is over $25,000, consider your financial situation and propose the highest amount possible; the IRS will arrive at your payment amount based upon your financial information.
If an agreement is approved, you will be charged a one-time user fee. The user fee for a new agreement is $105, or $52 for agreements where payments are deducted directly from your bank account. Eligible individuals with incomes at or below certain levels pay a reduced fee of $43.
Taxpayers who have a balance due may want to consider changing their W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, with their employer. A withholding calculator available on IRS.gov can help you determine the amount to have withheld.
For more information about installment agreements and other payment options, visit IRS.gov. and also provide additional information regarding your payment options. These publications and can be obtained from or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures