How long does an offer in compromise take
The IRS Fresh Start initiative might sound great, but you might not know if you are eligible for any tax relief.
In 2012, the IRS expanded the Fresh Start Program to allow more taxpayers to apply for tax relief. The main change in the program is that if an IRS agent considers a taxpayer eligible for an Offer In Compromise, the IRS will now make it easier to calculate the taxpayer's future income. The program has not seen any significant changes since 2012. However, the IRS examiners have been able to qualify taxpayers for tax relief at a different rate in recent years. The Fresh Start Tax Program saw record-breaking numbers of qualified applicants in 2020. The increase in Fresh Start tax relief applications and IRS' leniency in approving cases was mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic which caused financial hardship for millions of Americans. Many taxpayers will still be facing financial hardships in 2021. This includes students, parents, small-business owners, and parents. Experts in tax predict that the IRS Fresh Start Program eligibility will remain looser for a while, but it is unlikely that the IRS will relax its strict application requirements for an extended time. To determine if you are eligible for tax debt relief in 2020, check your eligibility for the 2021 IRS Fresh Start Initiative Program.
An Installment Agreement, a payment plan that is offered by the Fresh Start Program, is an agreement to pay monthly. This agreement allows taxpayers to make monthly payments to the IRS for a set amount. These payments are made directly to the taxpayer's tax debt and will continue until it is fully paid. You will not be subject to IRS collection letters or penalties if you have an installment plan. This plan can also be used to demonstrate to the IRS that your willingness to pay off your debt. The downside to this plan is that the IRS can continue to add interest to your total debt even if you pay less monthly under the Fresh Start Program. The IRS can include interest in your outstanding account balance, so you may end up paying more than what you originally owed. Although an Installment Agreement is valid for Fresh Start tax relief, it is not easy to reach an agreement with the IRS about a fair monthly payment. If you hire a professional tax relief firm to represent you, your chances of making smaller monthly payments are higher.