Can I set up a payment plan with the IRS?

What the Code allows

• The IRS may agree in writing to let you pay tax in installments when it decides that will help it collect.
• For an individual income tax balance at or under a limit set in the statute, not counting interest and penalties, the IRS must accept a full-payment installment agreement if you meet the statute's conditions, including having filed your returns in the previous five years.

How it can end

• The IRS can change or end an agreement if you miss an installment, do not pay other tax when it is due, or do not give a financial update it asks for.
• Before doing that, it generally has to give you 30 days' notice and a reason.

What it turns on

• how much you owe, before interest and penalties
• whether all your required returns are filed
• whether you can keep future taxes paid on time

What would make it not apply

• you miss an installment
• you do not pay a later year's tax when it is due
• information you gave the IRS was inaccurate or incomplete

The law, quoted

Sources: IRC §6159. Each passage below is copied from the document VALID fetched, with the start of its SHA-256 fingerprint.

(a) Authorization of agreements The Secretary is authorized to enter into written agreements with any taxpayer under which such taxpayer is allowed to make payment on any tax in installment payments if the Secretary determines that such agreement will facilitate full or partial collection of such liability.

IRC §6159 — (a) Authorization of agreements · law in effect September 29, 2026 · fingerprint b4efba712a18

(3) Subsequent change in financial conditions If the Secretary makes a determination that the financial condition of a taxpayer with whom the Secretary has entered into an agreement under subsection (a) has significantly changed, the Secretary may alter, modify, or terminate such agreement. (4) Failure to pay an installment or any other tax liability when due or to provide requested financial information The Secretary may alter, modify, or terminate an agreement entered into by the Secretary under subsection (a) in the case of the failure of the taxpayer- (A) to pay any installment at the time such installment payment is due under such agreement,

IRC §6159 — (3) Subsequent change in financial conditions · law in effect September 29, 2026 · fingerprint b4efba712a18