Interest rates for the IRS change just like they do for credit cards. Current interest rates for the IRS for individuals is 8% compounded daily. There are also fees of $31 or $130 depending on how you set up your payments, direct debit or you make the payments.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning Oct. 1, 2024. For individuals, the rate for overpayments and underpayments will be 8% per year, compounded daily.
You're better off with a payment plan, as you risk maxing out your utilization if you were to use a credit card.
How much will the IRS settle for? The IRS will often settle for what it deems you can feasibly pay. To determine this, the agency will take into account your assets (home, car, etc.), your income, your monthly expenses (rent, utilities, child care, etc.), your savings, and more.
6 years - If you don't report income that you should have reported, and it's more than 25% of the gross income shown on the return, or it's attributable to foreign financial assets and is more than $5,000, the time to assess tax is 6 years from the date you filed the return.
The IRS minimum monthly payment is typically your total tax debt divided by 72 unless you specify a different amount. Short-term and long-term payment plans are available, depending on your debt amount and eligibility. Setting up a direct debit payment plan online is the most cost-effective option.
So, while an IRS payment plan can ease immediate financial pressure, it comes with significant downsides, including (potentially) a federal tax lien, a strict requirement that they do not incur further tax debt or miss filing a tax return, and added interest and penalties that make the debt more expensive over time.
Generally, interest accrues on any unpaid tax from the due date of the return (without any extensions) until the date of payment in full. The interest rate is determined quarterly and is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percent. Interest compounds daily.
Most taxpayers qualify for an IRS payment plan (or installment agreement) and can use the online payment agreement (OPA) to set it up to pay off an outstanding balance over time. Once taxpayers complete the online application, they receive immediate notification of whether the IRS has approved their payment plan.
Taking the step of setting up a payment arrangement with the IRS does not trigger any reports to the credit bureaus. As mentioned above, the IRS is restricted from sharing your personally identifiable information. While a Notice of Federal Tax Lien could be discoverable by lenders, the payment plan itself would not.
The IRS has a deadline for paying refunds
However, if the IRS doesn't issue your refund within 45 days of the tax deadline, it owes you interest for each additional day it's late. For those who file after the deadline, the clock starts on the date you filed, not April 15.
There's no penalty for paying off your IRS payment plan early. In fact, if you pay tax debt quickly, it's likely the installment plan fee will be waived. You can avoid the fee by paying the full amount within 120 days.
You can use your Online Account to make offer in compromise (OIC) payments or check if you're eligible to submit an OIC. We'll review your OIC and decide if you qualify. An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe.
Generally, the IRS starts by offering you up to six years to pay, but if you cannot afford the minimum payments on a 72-month payment plan, you can stretch out your payments to the collection statute expiration date (CSED). The CSED is 10 years after the tax assessment.
IRS Payment Plan Pros
You could pay less in interest and fees: With IRS payment plan interest rates at 8% and the lower penalty rate of 0.25% per month, it's possible that you'll have lower ongoing costs by repaying this way than if you borrowed the money with a personal loan.
Here's a complete list of the new rates: 8% for overpayments (payments made in excess of the amount owed), 7% for corporations. 5.5% for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000. 8% for underpayments (taxes owed but not fully paid).
The IRS interest rate is determined by the Federal short-term rate plus 3% for most individuals. The federal short-term rate as of Jan 2022 is . 44%.
The IRS interest rate on unpaid taxes and tax refunds for individuals is 8% for all of 2024 and 7% for the first quarter of 2025 (the rate is adjusted on a quarterly basis). The IRS generally charges interest on unpaid taxes from tax deadline until the tax is paid in full.
The IRS might deny a payment plan if you have incomplete tax filings, owe for multiple periods, or lack consistent compliance with tax laws.
The easiest and most secure way to pay for most taxpayers is electronically (online or through the IRS2Go mobile app). Others prefer to pay by check or money order.
They can apply for a payment plan at IRS.gov/paymentplan. These plans can be either short- or long-term. Short-term payment plan – The payment period is 180 days or less, and the total amount owed is less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest.
Long-term payment plan (also called an installment agreement) – For taxpayers who have a total balance less than $50,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. They can make monthly payments for up to 72 months.
Generally, the IRS will take 25 to 50% of your disposable income. Disposable income is the amount left after legally required deductions such as taxes and Social Security (FICA). You should also be aware that if you're paid as a 1099 contractor, the IRS can sometimes take the entire amount.