Can you pay tax bill in installments

IRS payment plan

If you can’t afford to pay your taxes, you may be able to qualify for an installment plan with the Internal Revenue Service.

• An installment plan allows you to pay your taxes over time while avoiding garnishments, levies or other collection actions.
• You'll still owe penalties and interest for paying your taxes late, but it can help make the payments more affordable.
• The minimum monthly payment for your plan depends on how much you owe.

Minimum monthly payment

You can apply for an installment agreement online, over the phone, or via various IRS forms.

• To some degree, you get to choose how much you want to pay every month.
• The IRS will ask you what you can afford to pay per month, encouraging you to pay as much as possible to reduce your interest and penalties.
• If you choose not to answer, select too low of an amount, or let the IRS pick a payment amount for you, your minimum payment will be the amount that you owe divided by 72.

Fees for IRS installment plans

If you can pay off your balance within 180 days, it won't cost you anything to set up an installment plan.

• If you cannot pay off your balance within 180 days, setting up a direct debit payment plan online will cost $31, or $107 if set up by phone, mail, or in-person using Form 9465.
• If not using direct debit, then setting up the plan online will cost $130.
• If not using direct debit, setting up the plan by phone, mail, or in-person will cost $225 using Form 9465.
• If you're a lower-income taxpayer, you may be able to reduce these fees.

Balance of $10,000 or below

If you owe less than $10,000 to the IRS, your installment plan will generally be automatically approved as a "guaranteed" installment agreement.

• Under this type of plan, as long as you pledge to pay off your balance within three years, there is no specific minimum payment required.
• For balances above $10,000, you may have to provide additional information in order to qualify.

Balance between $10,000 and $50,000

With a balance due above $10,000, you can qualify for a streamlined installment plan.

• While acceptance isn't guaranteed, the IRS doesn't usually require additional financial information to approve these plans.
• With a streamlined plan, you have 72 months to pay.
• A minimum payment does kick in, equal to your balance due divided by the 72-month maximum period.
• If you can't pay an amount equal to what you owe divided by 72, you will need to complete Form 433-F unless you qualify for an exception.

Balance over $50,000

Qualifying for a plan with a higher balance due requires additional information.

• The IRS will want to know about your income and expenses on Form 9465-FS and Form 433-A.
• On Form 433-A, you'll have to provide detailed information on your investments, assets, income and bank accounts.
• If you have any meaningful assets, you might have to sell some to pay down your outstanding balance.
• Your minimum payment in this situation will be unique to the specific agreement you strike with the IRS.

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