IRS Tax Debt - What Happens If I Can't Pay the Full Amount?

Protect your Things: Your house, vehicles, and evenUser Fee: There is also a user fee associated with the
your bank account are forever in the sights of the IRSInstallment Agreement: $105 dollars without the direct
Collections Division. The best thing you can do is neverdeposit option, or $52 dollars with direct deposit. You
give them a reason to "pull the trigger." The people infull tax bill will be taken into account, as well as any and
the worst spots of IRS tax debt are the ones who rollall penalties and interest. In about 30 days from the
over and take hit after hit, refusing to do anythingapplication, you will know if you've been accepted into
about their debt. These people are eventually batteredthe program. The monthly payments will be made
until they have nothing left to give; don't let that be you.each month until the debt is paid off or until the statue
Pick Something! The IRS offers payment plans in orderof limitations (10 years) runs out.
to get full payment on your tax debt. If you can't payA Mountain of Debt: Keep in mind that during this time,
the full amount due, it may be a good idea to get intopenalties and interest still accrue. So any way you slice
and Installment Agreement so that you can makeit, you're going to be paying more than you actually
payment on the debt. But keep in mind that the IRS willowe. But remember, the Installment Agreement is still a
want to know your current financial status. Basically,much better option than losing all of your things just
they're going to call you and find out all of yourbecause you don't have thousands of dollars in your
information: where you work, where you bank, whereback pocket.
you live, etc. The Installment Agreement is a greatWhat about my Refunds?
way for an IRS-Hitman to get you over a barrel.If you are still paying down a debt from back taxes,
No Room for Error: Once you get yourself in anany money coming to you via refund will be applied as
installment agreement, you must make paymentspayment on the debt. This means that if you are
every month. The good news is that you can startsupposed to get money, you won't even see the
paying off your debt. The bad news is that the IRScheck. That amount will just be deducted from your
decides how much you pay each month. They get todebt. This will continue to happen for as long as the
pick what's "affordable" for you and if you miss aIRS deems necessary.
payment you will go into default. Once you're in default,One More Thing: If you are currently in an Installment
the IRS can get back to the drawing board with waysAgreement and you feel that you are not making any
to get the money. They can put a lien on your credit,progress, there are other options available. Speak with
levy your bank account or my personal favorite,a tax professional about what will be the best choice
garnish your wages! So make sure the IRS doesn't putfor you.
you in a plan that you know you can't afford.Now you have the smoking gun...Use it!