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If you find yourself in a situation in which you owe a large sum to the IRS for back taxes or for underpaying your current taxes, you are likely feeling overwhelmed, especially if you owe more than you are able to pay. When you are faced with owing a large sum to the IRS but cannot make the payment, you may qualify for an IRS Installment Agreement. At TaxSmith, LLC, our team can explore your case to not only help to see if you qualify but also to guide you through the process. Regardless of how much you owe or how long it has been, our firm can help negotiate a plan in your best interests.
IRS Installment Agreements are a formal monthly repayment plan when you are unable to pay your tax debt in one installment or if you are unable to qualify for an offer in compromise – an agreement with the IRS that reduces the tax liabilities that you owe. Although the IRS would prefer payments are made sooner and in one payment, an installment agreement will help create smaller and more manageable payments.
Before filing for an agreement, it is important to know:
When you apply for an installment agreement, the amount of the tax debt will matter on which type of installment plan you qualify for.
The age of your tax debt plays a role in the agreement the IRS may accept. The IRS requires that debts are paid within ten years of when the debt accrues. For example, if you have a debt that is five years old (60 months), then you would not qualify for a streamlined plan because that plan allows for up to 72 months. However, there are only 60 months remaining on your debt and, therefore, would put you outside of the ten years.
Through installment plans, the IRS is trying to recoup their money as quickly as possible, but they are also not allowed to force payments if those payments will put a person in financial hardship.
Filing for a tax relief program can be completed by anyone, but a Jacksonville IRS installment agreement attorney can provide multiple benefits. When applying for an agreement, you will be negotiating and speaking with the IRS, who are experts in tax law, so why not have your own expert on your side? An attorney who is familiar with the same laws can use that knowledge to help negotiate lower payments. In addition, they will know what specific documents will need to be submitted to the IRS and can help you collect and make sure those documents are in order. If, for any reason, the agreement is rejected, a tax attorney will be able to navigate additional options with you.
Remember that paying a debt to the IRS is like paying a high credit card debt. You could owe for years with compounding interest and end up paying more than is necessary. When consulting with an expert attorney, other options may help reduce or eliminate the debt more quickly and save you more money in the long run.
Installment agreements can only be terminated by the IRS if the taxpayer fails to meet the obligations of the agreement. However, a taxpayer can call the agency to talk about options if their financial situation has changed. Any taxpayer who is in a situation in which they feel there should be a change in an existing agreement plan should consult with their tax attorney for advice on options available and steps to take.
The length of the agreement is dependent on which type of agreement is made and how long is left on the required 10-year debt payoff limitation. Agreements start at a minimum of 36 months and range up to the end of the collection statute. There are other repayment plans that a taxpayer could qualify for if a different timeline is needed, but an attorney will help discuss these with you.
No matter what, an agreement expires when the 10-year statute on debt expires. At that time, the IRS forfeits the right to collect the owed debt. However, if you fail to pay the debt within the ten years through an agreement or other means, the IRS reserves the right to file civil litigation against you, which could extend that repayment time since it is now in the legal system.
The IRS can be contacted through their website, IRS.gov. On the site are links to information about forms, requests for changes to existing plans, and instructions to further assist with the application and payment process. You may also call the IRS at 800-829-1040. Your tax attorney can also communicate with them on your behalf.
If you have tax debt and are in need of a repayment plan with the IRS, then contact the TaxSmithtax attorneys. Our expert team will look through your case and help you understand your options. Tax laws can be complicated, but working with a knowledgeable team can help you navigate the process and help you find the best option available. Dealing with debt and the IRS can seem difficult and stressful, but it doesn’t have to. We know that your case isn’t the same as others, and we will work to make sure your installment agreement is fair, reasonable, and appropriate for you.
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