IRS Installment Agreement - Request Types, 9465 & Process

If you cannot pay right away, but have the assets and/or income to pay the amount or part of the amount over time, an installment agreement may be a good choice for you.

An installment agreement (IA) is the most common method for individuals to arrange payment for back taxes owed with the IRS. Even if you are filing your taxes and know you cannot pay the entire amount owed, people typically send in the installment agreement form with their tax return. IRS installment agreements are typically very easy to obtain when the tax amount owed is under $25,000, but can be a bit harder to obtain with amounts over that. Realize that an IA can get a levy released but you may also qualify for an Offer In Compromise, Penalty Abatement, Uncollectible Status, and so on.

Types of IRS Installment Agreements

There are different types of Installment Agreements, which allow you to pay IRS taxes over a series of monthly payments if you cannot pay in full. Below you find the most common types of IAs, and a link to each which will provide you the details as to how to file, their specific requirements, and their details.

Guaranteed Installment Agreement - This is the simplest type of Installment Agreement and is for taxpayers who owe $10k or less in taxes.

Streamlined Installment Agreement is intended for taxpayers that have tax debt of $25k or less. It is deemed "Streamlined" because it will not require full financial disclosure.

Financially Verified Installment Agreement - If you owe over $25k or you can't make the minimum monthly payment on a Streamlined Installment Agreement you want to look at getting this type of installment agreement. It has many names, but basically will require you to fill out Form 433 to fully verify your financial situation. A tax professional is best to work with here.

Installment Agreement Over 100k - If you owe over 100k, then you need a longer term installment agreement. Sometimes in this case, the IRS will require you to sell off assets to satisfy some of your debt before offering you this type of IA. It is recommended to use a professional here.

Partial Payment Installment Agreement - If you are truly unable to pay off your taxes, you can look to apply for a Part-Pay IA which will require you to pay less than you owe in full over time (as part of your debt falls of each period due to the Statue of Limitations. This is rarely accepted and requires full financial disclosure so a tax professional is best to work with here.

Fees and Process for Common IRS Installment Agreements

When setting up a common installment agreement like a Guaranteed or Streamlined installment agreement you will also have to pay a one time fee that is paid with the first monthly payment. The fees are the following:

-$52 for a new installment agreement that is direct debt
-$105 for a new installment agreement that is not direct debit. (payroll deduction, credit card, online payment option, money order or check). This is not recommended due to potential bank levies.
-$45 for restructuring or reinstating an existing installment agreement.

The IRS will accept or reject your installment agreement request usually within a 30 day period. The IRS must accept your request if you meet some basic requirements (if you filed a guaranteed IA and you meet requirements). Read the requirements for each by visiting the specific IA you are interested in or is most appropriate for you.

The IRS can back out of the installment agreement if there is a missed payment, you fall behind on other taxes that are due to the IRS, you do not give updated financial records when requested by the IRS, or the IRS finds out that you gave false information when setting up your IA. If you do miss a payment due to a change in financial condition it is important to contact the IRS immediately. Once payments are missed the IRS can place a tax lien on your assets or they could place a tax levy on your paycheck (wage garnishment) or bank account.

In order to get the best outcome in negotiating a Federal IA with the IRS, contact us by calling 1-800-717-2797 to get IRS Installment Agreement tax analysis at no cost or by filling out the quote form to the right. After your consult and analysis, decide what you want to do.

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Installment Agreement Help
Do you need help with an Installment Agreement? Our Tax Team (IRS Agents, Tax Attorneys, Tax Lawyers, CPAs) can ensure proper filing of an affordable tax payment plan for your financial situation.

Partial Payment Installment Agreement
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Installment Agreement Self-Help Video