Tax debt is monies owed to the IRS originating from any current or past tax returns. Tax debt may include income tax owed combined with any accumulated interest and penalties. It is important to note that not paying your taxes can result in wage garnishments, levies, and long-term damage to your credit report.
There are many reasons why individuals may find themselves with a large amount of tax debt. The inability to pay tax debt may be the result of a layoff or extended periods of unemployment, illness, divorce, an accident, or the mismanagement of funds. Whatever the reason may be for your tax debt, you can find relief through several solutions or sources.
Short-term solutions for tax debt relief include: borrowing from a family member or a friend, selling any valuables for cash (or liquidating), taking out a short-term personal loan, or applying for an Offer in Compromise (OIC) through the IRS.
Applying for an Offer in Compromise
An OIC can provide relief for taxpayers who cannot pay their tax debt in full or if an installment agreement is not an option. An Offer in Compromise is an agreement between the IRS and a taxpayer that resolves the taxpayer’s debt. The fee for filing is $150, but in some cases the fee may be waived.
With an OIC, the IRS can choose to settle the taxpayers debt by accepting less than the full payment if there is: doubt as to liability, doubt as to collectibility, if the collection of the tax would create an economic hardship or if it would be unfair and inequitable. In order to apply for an OIC, taxpayers should fill out Form 656 (and possibly 656-L), available at Irs.gov. If you assistance, please contact an IRS collection representative at 1-800-829-1040, or preferably, a tax attorney or a certified public accountant (CPA).
There are several things to keep in mind when applying for an Offer in Compromise or when seeking assistance with the process. Obtaining approval for an Offer in Compromise is difficult, so if at all possible, think of a Plan B or revisit the list of short-term and long-term solutions to be absolutely sure that you have exhausted all possibilities.
When seeking assistance with applying for an OIC, it’s best to avoid services that use the following language “settle your tax debts for pennies on the dollar” through the Offer in Compromise Program. Instead, read through Publication 594 (The IRS Collection Process) and stick with trusted names in the industry. Publication 594 is available at Irs.gov or by calling 1-800-829-3676.
Long-Term and Permanent Solutions for Tax Debt Relief
A common long-term solution for tax debt relief is an IRS installment agreement. An IRS installment agreement, also called payment option, payment plan, and payment agreement is an agreement between the IRS and the taxpayer to make payments on taxes owed. You will be charged a fee, interest and penalties to start the installment agreement. Interest and penalties may be minimized of you are able to resolve your tax debt immediately or in a few of months.
Taxpayers with $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties, and interest are eligible to use the Internal Revenue Services’ Online Payment Agreement (OPA). You can access the agreement at Irs.gov. If you need further assistance, you can contact an IRS collection representative by calling 1-800-829-1040 or contact a tax attorney or a CPA in your area.
A permanent solution for IRS tax debt relief is tax bankruptcy. In the case of tax bankruptcy, you must contact a tax attorney to assist you with this complicated process. In general, if taxes are old enough they are dischargeable in Chapter 7 — if certain criteria are met.
