I Can't Pay My Taxes: Call First, Then Pick Your Option
If you can't pay the IRS, a licensed tax pro reviews your options free and starts fixing it today.
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Can you get more time to pay the IRS?
If you can't pay, the first thing to do is call a licensed tax pro. Here are the five options they will walk you through.
An extension to file runs to October 15, but it does not give you more time to pay. For more time to pay, a short-term plan gives you up to 180 days with no setup fee. A tax pro can set it up while you are on the call.
Can you pay your taxes monthly instead?
If you owe $50,000 or less and filed every return, you can set up a monthly plan online the same day. It costs $29 when you pay by automatic withdrawal.
A tax pro sets the payment at an amount you can keep up with. See your monthly cost on the payment plan calculator.
Can the IRS pause collection for hardship?
If paying would leave you unable to cover basic living costs, the IRS can mark your account currently not collectible. That stops most collection, but you still owe the full amount.
Penalties and interest keep adding, and the IRS may take your refund. A tax pro asks for the pause for you, so have your pay stubs, rent and bills ready.
Can you settle with the IRS for less?
An offer in compromise settles the debt for less than you owe. The application fee is $205, and a lump-sum offer needs 20% of the offer up front.
It fits people whose income and assets could never cover the debt. A tax pro checks whether you qualify before you pay any fee.
What makes an unpaid tax bill worse?
Three mistakes turn a tax bill you can't pay into a much bigger one.
- Skipping filing. The late-filing penalty is 5% a month, ten times the late-payment penalty, per Topic 653.
- Ignoring a final notice. The IRS must warn you at least 30 days before a levy on your bank or paycheck.
- Paying anyone who promises to make the debt disappear.
Which option fits your situation?
Find your situation in the table below to see which option a tax pro will likely start with.
| If you | Start with |
|---|---|
| Will have the money within 6 months | Short-term plan |
| Can pay something each month | Monthly payment plan |
| Cannot pay basic bills right now | Hardship pause |
| Could never pay it all | Offer in compromise |
| Can borrow at a lower rate | A loan, then pay in full |
Frequently asked questions
What if I can't pay my taxes by April 15th?
File by the deadline anyway and pay what you can. An extension gives you until October 15 to file, not to pay. A tax pro then sets up a plan for the rest.
Can you get an extension to pay the IRS?
There is no true irs payment extension, but a short-term plan gives up to 180 days with no setup fee. Interest and the late-payment penalty still add up until you pay.
What does uncollectible status mean on my IRS account?
The IRS has agreed you can't pay right now and has paused most collection. You still owe everything, and interest keeps adding. The IRS checks your finances again later.
How long can you stay in uncollectible status with the IRS?
There is no fixed time. It lasts until the IRS sees your finances improve, or until the 10-year deadline to collect runs out.
Can you do a payment plan if you owe taxes?
Yes, that is what payment plans are for. Individuals who owe $50,000 or less and filed every return can apply online. A tax pro can set it up for you today.
What to do now: call before penalties grow
Every month you leave the bill unpaid adds a 0.5% penalty plus interest, and a final notice starts a 30-day clock. Call now and a licensed tax pro reviews your balance free and sets up your fix today.