What You Need to Know If You’re Unable to Pay Your Back Taxes

Jamie Vankirk
Expert Contributor
Last Updated:
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  • It is important that you file your taxes, even if you can’t afford to pay your back taxes.
  • Contact the IRS, and be upfront about what you can pay and when you can pay it.
  • Take charge of the situation to avoid large back taxes in the future.

Tax season is just getting started. If you have to pay, you might be wondering what your options are if you don’t have the money to do so. Don’t make the mistake of assuming nothing can be done. Taxes can be scary, but it’s important to stay calm and research each possible route thoroughly. If you’re unable to pay your back taxes, we’ve provided some strategies below to get you started.

File Your Taxes Regardless

You might be tempted to not file if you know you can’t pay, but you’ll only be hurting yourself by doing so. If you neglect to file your taxes, you’ll be subject to a failure-to-file penalty. This could amount to 5 percent of your unpaid tax bill each month and could go up to 25 percent. If you file your taxes without sending in a payment, you’ll still be charged a penalty, but it will only be 0.5 percent of your unpaid tax bill per month.

Pay What You Can Afford

Paying something is better than paying nothing. If you can pay your full bill within 120 days, you might qualify for a full-payment agreement, which means you can make monthly payments to lower your back taxes. Interest and any applicable penalties will continue to build during this time, but you won’t be charged additional fees.

If you owe a sum that you cannot pay within 120 days, you might be able to negotiate an installment agreement, which is subject to application fees. Alternatively, you might be eligible for an “offer in compromise,” where the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agrees to lower your back taxes. To qualify, you must meet specific qualifications and can show you’d suffer severe financial damage if you paid your back taxes in full.

If the IRS determines you cannot pay any of your back taxes, the government might elect to delay the collection time until your finances are in better condition. Should you be approved for a delay, keep in mind that interest will still accrue, and the government might file a lien against your property until you pay.

What You Need to Know If You’re Unable to Pay Your Back Taxes

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Exchange the Back Taxes

You have a few options at your disposal through which you can exchange your back taxes for another kind of debt that might be more manageable for you.

See More >> This Guy Resolved His $8,597 Back Taxes - Learn His Methods!

  • Pay by credit card. If you’ve run into a situation where you can afford to make the payment, but you just can’t make it all at once when you file your taxes, you can put the charge on a credit card. Yes, you’ll be exchanging one form of debt for another, but the delay the credit card can give you might make all the difference if timing is your only problem. The IRS doesn’t charge a fee for accepting credit card payments, but the processing companies might. You’ll also want to weigh the pros and cons of the having interest build up with your credit card rate if you aren’t able to pay it off within the first payment cycle.
  • Refinance your home. Again, you’ll be exchanging one form of debt for another, but if your home has the equity needed to cover your tax bill, it might be worth it. Like the previous scenario, only refinance your home if you know for certain that you can afford to pay off your debt eventually. The upside to this option is you can deduct your home mortgage interest if you itemize your taxes. Credit card interest, on the other hand, is not deductible.
  • Borrow money from friends or family. We realize this is not an ideal solution, either; however, you might want to consider it. If you happen to have friends or family with the extra cash and willingness to lend to you at a low interest rate, it might be worth it to pay off your bill to avoid higher interest rates and fees with the IRS.

Ask for Extra Time

It never hurts to explain your situation to the IRS and ask for additional time. Depending on your circumstances, the agency might agree to briefly extend the deadline by which you’ll need to pay in full. If you can’t pay at all due to circumstances beyond your control, such as unemployment, let the IRS know. They’ll be willing to work with you. You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or any number included on one of its notices for more information.

Declare Bankruptcy

This is the most drastic action, so don’t enter into it lightly. If you file for bankruptcy under certain conditions, your back taxes will be dissolved, but the headaches bankruptcy will cause you for years in the future will complicate your life. If you feel this is your only option, be sure to consult a tax lawyer to assist you in the process.

Take Charge of the Situation

It’s tempting to hunker down and hide from problems such as debt, but you’ll only be hurting yourself in the future. Ignoring it can quickly land you in legal trouble, so it’s best to be proactive and take charge of the situation before it gets out of hand or happens again. Remember it’s always best for you to file your taxes on time and be upfront with the IRS about what you can pay and when.

If you’re struggling to manage your back taxes, get in touch with our team at Solvable. We can help you understand your options and provide reviews of reputable back tax assistance companies.

 

Jamie Vankirk
Expert Contributor
Last Updated: