An IRS installment agreement stops levies and garnishments and replaces them with one predictable monthly payment — sized to your real income, not a number that sets you up to default.
Not all IRS payment plans work the same way, and the type you qualify for has a real effect on your monthly payment, whether a lien gets filed, and how much paperwork is required up front.
For smaller balances, the IRS is required to approve an agreement that pays the debt in full within the collection period, as long as you've filed all required returns and meet basic eligibility rules. No financial disclosure needed.
Covers larger balances with simplified approval and, in most cases, no financial disclosure — though terms and lien-filing thresholds become more favorable with direct debit payments.
For balances too large to fully repay before the collection statute expires. Requires a full financial disclosure (Form 433-A) so the IRS can confirm the payment reflects what you can actually afford — and any remaining balance can ultimately go uncollected once the statute runs out.
The goal isn't just "get approved" — it's getting approved at a payment you can sustain for years without defaulting. We build your case using IRS Collection Financial Standards for allowable living expenses, push back on unrealistic income assumptions, and negotiate the lowest defensible monthly payment your situation supports.
There's no single fixed minimum — it depends on what you owe and which type of agreement you qualify for. For smaller balances, the IRS often accepts whatever amount fully pays the debt within the remaining collection statute, divided into equal monthly payments. For larger balances, the payment is based on your actual disposable income using IRS financial standards.
Only above certain balance thresholds. Many people qualify for a streamlined agreement based purely on the amount owed, with no financial disclosure required. Above those thresholds, or if you want a payment lower than the standard calculation, a full Form 433-A financial disclosure is required to support the request.
A guaranteed installment agreement applies to smaller balances and is approved automatically if you meet basic requirements. A streamlined agreement covers larger balances with simplified terms and no financial disclosure. A partial-pay installment agreement (PPIA) is for situations where you can't fully pay the debt before the collection statute expires — it requires financial disclosure and IRS approval, and may leave a remaining balance forgiven at the end.
Yes. An installment agreement stops aggressive collection action like levies, but it doesn't stop interest or the failure-to-pay penalty from continuing to accrue on the unpaid balance — though the failure-to-pay penalty rate is cut in half for accounts in an approved agreement.
It depends on the balance. Below certain thresholds, and especially with a streamlined or direct-debit agreement, the IRS often won't file a lien or will withdraw an existing one. Above those thresholds, a lien filing is more likely even with an active agreement, though the agreement still prevents wage garnishment and bank levies as long as you stay current.
A single missed payment can default the agreement, which reopens you to levies and garnishment with no advance warning beyond the standard default notice. If a payment becomes a problem, the right move is to contact us before it's missed — agreements can often be modified, but a default is harder to undo than a payment that hasn't happened yet.
Tell us your balance and your income, and we'll tell you which type of agreement fits — and what the payment is likely to be.
Set up my payment planNo upfront payment required for the consultation. Serving clients nationwide across all 50 states.
Fill out the form and we'll follow up within 1 business day. Everything is confidential.