Tax Debt Can Now Be Managed Via New IRS Online Tool
While still having a ways to go to catch up its technology offerings with the rest of society, the IRS continues to take steps to do so and to improve taxpayers' online experience. To that end, the IRS says there is now available on its website (www.irs.gov) an online tool to help taxpayers understand and resolve tax debt.
The "Tax Debt Help" tool, located online at www.irs.gov/payments/get-help-with-tax-debt, debuted ironically enough on April 16, the day after the end of the current tax filing season. The new tool is designed to provide businesses and individuals with an easy way to research payment options and find what they should do next, the IRS said in a news release.
The tool "shows the transformation underway at the IRS and the progress the agency has already made to deliver more user-friendly, digital-first services to taxpayers," IRS CEO Frank Bisignano said in the release.
The tool walks users through a series of straightforward questions about their financial situation and tax debt. The tool then guides them to potential payment and available resolution options. These options may include payment plans, temporary delay of collections, or an offer in compromise for those who qualify.
The tool is secure because taxpayers do not have to enter personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, names, or addresses, therefore, there is no risk of identity theft or online fraud, just helpful information to help you manage any tax debt you may have.
"I think the idea of being a digital-first agency is appropriate," Bisignano said Wednesday at a Senate hearing on the filing season. "The American public … want to be met where they want to be met, if it's in the Taxpayer Service Center, if it's on the phones, or if it's on the web."
More helpful information can be found by going to the following links:
• Get help with tax debt (www.irs.gov/payments/get-help-with-tax-debt)
• Publication 6103, Get Help with Tax Debt (PDF) (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p6103.pdf)
• Apply online for a payment plan (www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application)
• Information on payment plans (www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agreements#costs)
• Online account for individuals (www.irs.gov/payments/online-account-for-individuals)
• Business Tax Account (www.irs.gov/businesses/business-tax-account)
