Washington News

As the April 15 tax deadline has come and gone, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched a new online tool to assist with resolving tax debt. While taxpayers are eligible to file an extension for a deadline of October 15, for most taxpayers, the tax balance remains due by April 15. The IRS released an online Tax Debt Help tool to provide accessible ways to explore payment options.

“This new Tax Debt Help tool reflects the agency’s commitment to making tax compliance clearer, more accessible, and less intimidating for taxpayers, said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. “By guiding taxpayers through their options to pay with simple, interactive questions, we are helping them understand the paths available and take confident next steps. The deployment of this new 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.”

The new tool allows the user to answer questions to determine payment options based on taxpayer eligibility. This tool expands the self-service digital options and is part of the IRS goal of providing expanded digital services.

Multiple options exist to pay tax debt. Taxpayers can use their IRS Individual Online Account to access payment options. Payments may also be made through Direct Pay from your checking or savings account, or by using a debit card, credit card or digital wallet. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is another convenient option, and many taxpayers choose electronic funds withdrawal from their bank account. Other options include a check, money order or cash, although cash payments are more complex and are explained on IRS.gov/paywithcash.

If you are not able to pay your tax due in full, there are both short and long-term payment plan options. A tax bill of less than $100,000 may be paid over 180 days with the short-term plan. If you owe less than $50,000 in tax, penalties and interest, the long-term payment plan may allow you to stretch out payments for up to 72 months.