IRS Offers Payment Plans to Those Having Money Troubles

If you owe the IRS taxes and you’re having a difficult time paying, you’re not alone. In 2010, 23.9 million individual taxpayers filed a tax return with a balance due. More than 20 million taxpayers paid the tax with their return, after the first IRS notice, or after receiving an extension to pay from the IRS. However, another 3.8 million taxpayers had to make other arrangements to pay their outstanding tax liabilities.

In 2011, the IRS began introducing Fresh Start initiatives that have relaxed rules for payment alternatives. The 2012 results were positive for taxpayers: There were 32% fewer federal tax liens filed and 20% more offers in compromise accepted than in 2011. Statistics show that more taxpayers are facing these problems than ever before. As of Sept. 30, 2012, a total of 11.5 million taxpayer accounts were facing IRS collection activities. In 2006, before the recession, there were a little more than 7 million accounts subject to IRS collection activities. This 62% increase in six years far outweighs the 10% increase in the number of individual and business taxpayers.

The most commonly used alternatives are extensions of time to pay and streamlined installment agreements. That’s because most individual taxpayers just need a few weeks to get the funds to pay their tax bill, or they can pay monthly. A taxpayer that owes more than $50,000 will need to establish a more complicated arrangement with the IRS, such as an installment agreement based on their calculated ability to pay, a payment deferral, or an offer in compromise.

Payment extension

For taxpayers that simply need some extra time to pay, a 120-day extension to pay in full is usually the best option. Contact the IRS by phone or use the online payment agreement application at irs.gov. However, for taxpayers whose account is already being handled by the IRS Collection function (that is, they have received a final notice of intent to levy), the maximum allowed extension is 60 days. The IRS grants extensions to individual and business taxpayers.

Streamlined installment agreements

In 2010, about 94% of all individual installment agreements were streamlined agreements. In 2012, the IRS relaxed the rules to allow even more individuals to qualify for streamlined installment agreements and to reduce the number of liens filed. Streamlined agreements are available to individuals who owe $50,000 or less and can pay the tax in full within 72 months. Before March 2012, streamlined agreements were limited to liabilities of $25,000 or less, payable within 60 months.

Streamlined agreements require less paperwork than other types of agreements. The IRS requires only employment and banking information to be submitted with the agreement request, if the taxpayer:

• Owes $25,000 or less
• Owes between $25,001 and $50,000 and agrees to pay by direct debit

In a streamlined agreement, the IRS will not file a federal tax lien on amounts of $25,000 or less. For amounts between $25,001 and $50,000 the IRS requires that the taxpayer pay by direct debit to avoid a lien filing.

If you qualify, there are three ways to obtain a streamlined agreement:

• Call the number on your bill or notice.
• Use the online payment agreement application at irs.gov.
• Complete and mail Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request.

Non-streamlined installment agreements

When a taxpayer owes more than $50,000 or cannot meet the streamlined installment agreement payment terms, he or she will need to make arrangements with the IRS based on ability to pay. This requires that the taxpayer (often with the help of a tax professional) analyze his or her financial picture to determine how much can be paid to the IRS from equity in assets and through a monthly installment agreement.

Equity in assets. Typically, the IRS will request that taxpayers first use equity in assets, such as funds in an IRA or value in stock owned. The IRS can also ask taxpayers to obtain loans on assets, such as a home equity line of credit, to reduce the balance owed. Often, taxpayers request an extension of time to obtain a loan or use assets to reduce the balance owed to less than $50,000. Then, they can secure a streamlined agreement for the remaining balance.

Monthly payments. If the taxpayer still owes more than $50,000 after having used available equity in assets, he or she must make monthly payments based on his or her income and expenses. In these cases, the IRS will normally require that the taxpayer provide them with a Collection Information Statement (Form 433-A, B, or F) and propose a monthly payment amount.

If the taxpayer can pay the amount owed within 72 months, he or she can establish what is informally called a conditional installment agreement, which allows payments based on his or her actual monthly income and expenses. IRS Fresh Start initiatives have encouraged the use of these agreements, which allow taxpayers more flexible payment terms, to reduce the 18% default rate on IRS payment agreements in 2012.

If the taxpayer cannot pay within 72 months, or if the IRS determines that his or her expenses are excessive, the IRS can set limits on the taxpayer’s living expenses using collection financial standards, which limit household expenses such as housing, food, and vehicle operating and ownership costs.

For non-streamlined agreements, the IRS will file a tax lien if more than $10,000 is owed. To request a non-streamlined agreement, a taxpayer or his or her appointed representative must contact the IRS by phone, in writing or in person.

Currently not collectible

If the taxpayer cannot pay the IRS, he or she can request currently not collectible (CNC) status, which strictly limits allowable expenses to necessary living expenses limited by IRS collection financial standards. CNC status is usually temporary; the IRS uses manual and automated procedures to determine whether the taxpayer’s financial situation has improved.

For CNC arrangements, the IRS will file a tax lien if more than $10,000 is owed. To request a CNC arrangement, the taxpayer or his or her appointed representative must contact the IRS by phone, in writing, or in person.

Offers in compromise

If the taxpayer has few assets, little monthly income, and little or no prospects for future income, he or she may want to consider requesting an offer in compromise (OIC). An OIC allows a taxpayer and the IRS to agree to settle the tax liability for less than the full amount owed.

A taxpayer qualifies only if he or she cannot pay the tax in full with available equity in assets or with monthly installment payments before the collection statute expires. If a taxpayer qualifies, the amount paid will be equal to the taxpayer’s net equity in assets, plus one or two years of future income, depending on the type of offer selected.

The OIC option has become much more attractive to financially distressed taxpayers since the IRS made Fresh Start changes in 2012. Prior to these changes, taxpayers paid offer amounts computed on four to five years of future income. Fresh Start also relaxed rules on calculations of equity in assets and expanded expenses allowed in determining future income, including student loans and state and local tax installment agreements.

Even with mid-year changes, in 2012, the number of OIC applications submitted increased 8%, and the number of OICs accepted increased 20% compared with 2011. However, be wary; this program is not for the temporarily distressed. Viable businesses and taxpayers with short-term financial hardships are generally not good candidates for the OIC.

Help for the financially distressed

You may be one of many who need an alternative payment arrangement this tax season. First look to the most common alternatives for taxpayers with a short-term inability to pay: an extension or a streamlined installment agreement. If you cannot meet the terms for one of these options, you will need to examine your financial situation – get help from a reputable tax professional if you need it – and establish an agreement based on your ability to pay.

Jim Buttonow is one of the resident debt experts here at GetOutOfDebt.org that helps people for free. Jim is a licensed CPA who spent 19 years with the IRS coordinating large compliance teams of IRS agents and specialized personnel. In the last 5 years, Jim has invented consumer and practitioner software and treatises on how to address many different tax issues. He has also represented many people before the IRS examination, collection, filing, and appeals functions. He currently assists taxpayers on an active pro bono tax practice aimed at serving people in need. He can be reached at IRSMind.com.

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