8 TIPS FOR TAXPAYERS WHO OWE MONEY

The vast majority of Americans get a tax refund each spring. However, what if you are not one of them? What if you owe money to the IRS or your state?

Here are nine tips for individuals who need to pay taxes. The tips are similar for corporations, but more involved.

1. If you get a bill for late taxes, you are expected to promptly pay the tax owed including any additional penalties and interest. If you are unable to pay the amount due, it is often in your best interest to get a loan to pay the bill in full rather than to make installment payments.

2. You can also pay the bill with your credit card. To pay by credit card contact either Official Payments Corporation at 800-2PAYTAX (also www.officialpayments.com) or Link2Gov at 888-PAY-1040 (also www.pay1040.com).

3. The interest rate on a credit card or bank loan may be lower than the combination of interest and penalties imposed by the IRS or your state.

4. You can pay the balance owed by electronic funds transfer, check, money order, cashier's check, or cash. To pay using electronic funds transfer you can take advantage of the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System by calling 800-555-4477 or 800-945-8400 or online at www.eftps.gov.

5. You may request an installment agreement if you cannot pay the liability in full. This is an agreement between you and the Taxing Authority for the collection of the amount due in monthly installment payments. To be eligible for an installment agreement, you must first file all returns that are required and be current with estimated tax payments.

6. For the IRS, if you owe $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties, and interest, you can request an installment agreement using the web-based application called Online Payment Agreement found at IRS.gov.

7. If you owe your state, you might b required to submit a financial statement and documents proving your inability to pay in full.

8. You can also complete and mail an Installment Agreement Request [for the IRS Form 9465]. The Taxing Authorities will inform you usually within 30 days whether your request is approved or denied or if additional information is needed. If the amount you owe is $25,000 or less, provide the monthly amount you wish to pay with your request. For the IRS, at a minimum, the monthly amount you will be allowed to pay without completing a Collection Information Statement, Form 433, is an amount that will fully pay the total balance owed within 60 months.

You may still qualify for an installment agreement if you owe more than $25,000, but a Form 433F, Collection Information Statement, is required to be completed before an installment agreement can be considered. If your balance is over $25,000, consider your financial situation and propose the highest amount possible, as that is how the IRS will arrive at your payment amount based on your financial information.

9. If an installment agreement is approved, a one-time user fee will be charged. For the IRS the user fee for a new agreement is $105 or $52 for agreements where payments are deducted directly from your bank account. For eligible individuals with incomes at or below certain levels, a reduced fee of $43 will be charged. This is automatically figured and is based on your income.

For more information about installment agreements and other payment options, give our office a call at 562-912-4334.