Doubt as to Collectability are the most commonly considered OICs. This IRS collection alternative is attempted by tens of thousands of taxpayers each year, and very few are accepted. A rarity: IRS OIC applications and acceptances for 2010-2019 In 2019, the IRS accepted 33% of all OICs.
But statistically, the odds of getting an IRS offer in compromise are pretty low. In fact, the IRS rejected 67% of all applications for offers in compromise in 2019.
Your work isn't done once you've paid off your OIC. There are strings attached to using the OIC program, and one of them is a promise to stay in tax compliance for the next five years. That means you need to file all of your returns on time and make all required tax payments for the next five years.
Processing times vary, but you can expect the IRS to take at least six months to decide whether to accept or reject your Offer in Compromise (OIC). The process can take much longer if you have to dispute the examiner's findings or appeal their decision.
While acceptance isn't guaranteed, the IRS doesn't usually require additional financial information to approve these plans. With a streamlined plan, you have 72 months to pay. A minimum payment does kick in, equal to your balance due divided by the 72-month maximum period.
The IRS may reject a payment plan or an installment agreement for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons because a person provided false or incorrect information in their application. Underreporting income or making mathematical mistakes can result in a denial.
If you owe more than $50,000, you may still qualify for an installment agreement, but you will need to complete a Collection Information Statement, Form 433-A. The IRS offers various electronic payment options to make a full or partial payment with your tax return.
The IRS will not keep record of a withdrawn offer in compromise, but a rejected one will count as a strike against your record — especially if the reason it was rejected was not corrected.
An offer in compromise (OIC) is an agreement between a taxpayer and the Internal Revenue Service that settles a taxpayer's tax liabilities for less than the full amount owed. Taxpayers who can fully pay the liabilities through an installment agreement or other means, generally won't qualify for an OIC in most cases.
Several months after an Offer in Compromise is accepted, a taxpayer may find the payment they committed to making is no longer affordable due to financial constraints, leading to a default. It is common to submit an OIC with the least number of months to avoid defaulting on an OIC and having to start all over again.
An OIC can be as advertised – a fresh start from your IRS debt. No more looking over your shoulder with fear of an IRS seizure of your wages or bank accounts. Improved credit score – after an offer in compromise is complete, the IRS will release all tax liens filed against you.
COMPLETE IRS & TAX REPRESENTATION
The two most practical reasons for filing an Offer-in-Compromise (OIC) with IRS are: To prevent further IRS collections from occurring (i.e. wage garnishments, bank accounts, seizures) To limit the amount of out-of-pocket expense to satisfy the tax debt.
An offer in compromise can be an effective method to have the IRS stop a seizure or release a levy. Simply put, an offer in compromise stops the IRS from sending out levies. While your compromise is being investigated, the IRS cannot start action to take your house, wages, bank accounts, etc.
The IRS does not have a set percentage of settlement to the amount owed. It all depends on convincing the IRS that your financial situation is dismal and that the IRS will never get paid after applying their internal guidelines. Planning for an offer in compromise during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Second, it may cost too much to settle.
Taxpayers can't always come up with the OIC offer amount. In 2020, the IRS released final regulations that increased the OIC user fee to $205 from $186.
Currently, the IRS offer in compromise programs does not affect your credit score. However, if you're considering filing for bankruptcy then it will likely have an adverse effect on your credit score and there are other factors that can also negatively impact a person's number (late payments, loans, etc).
An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It may be a legitimate option if you can't pay your full tax liability or doing so creates a financial hardship. We consider your unique set of facts and circumstances: Ability to pay.
Remember to mail your appeal to the office that sent you the rejection letter. You can request an Appeals conference by preparing either a Form 13711, Request for Appeal of Offer in CompromisePDF, or a separate letter with the following information: Name, address, Tax Identification Number and daytime telephone number.
You must provide a written statement explaining why the tax debt or portion of the tax debt is incorrect. In addition, you must provide supporting documentation or evidence that will help the IRS identify the reason(s) you doubt the accuracy of the tax debt.
Taxpayers are entitled to a fair and impartial administrative appeal of most IRS decisions, including many penalties, and have the right to receive a written response regarding the Office of Appeals' decision. Taxpayers generally have the right to take their cases to court.
One-time forgiveness, otherwise known as penalty abatement, is an IRS program that waives any penalties facing taxpayers who have made an error in filing an income tax return or paying on time. This program isn't for you if you're notoriously late on filing taxes or have multiple unresolved penalties.
Generally, under IRC § 6502, the IRS will have 10 years to collect a liability from the date of assessment. After this 10-year period or statute of limitations has expired, the IRS can no longer try and collect on an IRS balance due.
The Fresh Start Initiative Program provides tax relief to select taxpayers who owe money to the IRS. It is a response by the Federal Government to the predatory practices of the IRS, who use compound interest and financial penalties to punish taxpayers with outstanding tax debt.
Missing or Incorrect Information on the Application
The most common reason that people find their Installment Agreement rejected is simply that they did not fill out the form correctly, or at all. To apply for an Installment Agreement, you have to fill out Form 433, which is the Collection Information Statement.
The IRS considers extravagant expenses as those that include charitable contributions, private school funding, hefty credit card payments. In addition, if you fail to provide accurate information on Form 433-A, Collection Information Statement, you can expect your agreement to be rejected.