Tax Tip 2007-68, Payment Options

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2006 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

If you cannot pay the full amount of taxes you owe by the April deadline, you should still file your return on time and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest. There are also alternative payment options to consider:

Pay by Credit Card You can charge your taxes on your American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover cards. To pay by credit card, contact one of the service providers at its telephone number or Web site listed below and follow the instructions. The service providers charge a convenience fee based on the amount you are paying. Do not add the convenience fee to your tax payment.
- Link2Gov Corporation: 888-PAY-1040 (888-729-1040), www.pay1040.com
- Official Payments Corporation: 800-2PAY-TAX (800-272-9829), www.officialpayments.com
Extension of Time to Pay Based on the circumstances, a taxpayer could qualify for an extension of time to pay. The IRS is willing to allow extensions of time to pay in order to assist in tax debt repayment. A short term extension of time to pay can be requested through the Online Payment Agreement application at IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-829-1040. Taxpayers qualifying for an extension of time to pay of 30 -120 days generally will pay less in penalties and interest than if the debt were repaid through an installment agreement.
Installment Agreement The IRS may allow you to pay any remaining balance in monthly installments through an installment agreement. You can apply for an IRS installment agreement using our Web-based Online Payment Agreement application on IRS.gov. Another alternative is to attach a Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, to the front of your tax return. The IRS charges a $105 fee for setting up an installment agreement. The fee is only $52 if you pay via direct debit. If your income is below a certain level (see Form 13844), you may qualify for a $43 fee. You will also be required to pay interest plus a late payment penalty on the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month, after the due date that the tax is not paid. If you do not file your return by the due date -- including extensions -- you may have to pay a failure-to-file penalty.

In most circumstances, the Online Payment Agreement application provides immediate notification regarding the approval of your request. There may be times when you will need to mail paperwork or speak with us before we can determine your eligibility for an installment agreement or short term extension to pay. If that is the case the online application will provide an address and telephone number that can be used to reach the appropriate IRS office.

For more information about filing and paying your taxes, visit the IRS Web site at IRS.gov and choose “1040 Central” or refer to the Form 1040 Instructions or IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax. You can download forms and publications at IRS.gov or request a free copy by calling toll free 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).