There are various options for payment of an outstanding federal income tax liability. Because your balance is subject to interest and a monthly late payment penalty, it is in your best interest to pay in full as soon as you can to minimize the additional charges. Penalties are also assessed for failure to file a tax return so you must file immediately even if you cannot pay your balance in full.

IRS Tax payment options allow you to pay your tax liability by sending a check or money order, made out to “United States Treasury.” You may pay by transferring money electronically from your bank account. You can even pay your federal income tax liability by credit card or debit card. Be advised that a service provider, not the IRS, may charge a convenience fee for electronic payments from your bank account or for a payment by credit card. If you cannot pay in full you should pay as much as possible to reduce the accrual of interest on your account.

You should consider financing the full payment of your income tax liability through loans, such as a home equity loan from a financial institution or a credit card cash advance. The interest rate and any applicable fees charged by a bank or credit card are usually lower than the combination of interest and penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. If you cannot pay in full immediately, the IRS offers a short amount of additional time, up to 120 days, to pay in full. No fee will be charged for entering this type of payment arrangement.

Another IRS tax payment option is by installments. Tax payment installment agreement allow you to make a series of monthly payments over time. The IRS offers various options for making monthly payments such as:

1. Direct Debit from your bank account
2. Payroll Deduction from your employer
3. Payment via check or money order
4. Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
5. Payment by credit card via phone or Internet, or
6. Online Payment Agreement (OPA)

A one-time installment agreement fee of $105.00 will be charged when you enter into an installment agreement unless you choose to pay through a Direct Debit from your bank account, in which case the fee is $52.00. Taxpayers with income at or below 250% of the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines can apply to pay a reduced user fee of $43.00.

If you can pay your IRS tax payment in a shorter period of time, you can request a short amount of additional time, up to 120 days, to pay in full. This payment arrangement does not carry a fee.

If you decide on entering into an installment agreement, your monthly payment should be based on your ability to pay and should be an amount that can be paid each month to avoid defaulting.

If you are not able to provide full payment when you file your tax return, you can request a pre-assessment installment agreement on current tax liabilities by using the Online Payment Agreement (OPA) application on the IRS.gov website.

If you are not able to provide full payment after you have filed your tax return and received a bill from the IRS (a balance due notice), you can request an installment agreement using the Online Payment Agreement (OPA) application on the IRS.gov website.

You may also request an installment agreement by calling the toll-free number on the bill.

You will need to specify the amount you can pay and the day (1st-28th) you wish to make your payment each month. The IRS will expect to receive the payment ON the day you indicate so be sure to figure mailing time into the date you select. The IRS will respond to your request, usually within 30 days, to advise you as to whether your request has been approved, denied or more information is needed.

Direct debit or payroll deduction installment agreements provide an opportunity to make timely payments automatically and reduce the possibility of default. For a direct debit installment agreement you will need to provide your checking account number and your bank routing number to initiate the automated withdrawal of the payment.

You may contact the IRS by phone or in person, or you may submit Form 9465 (PDF), Installment Agreement Request, through the mail. The form has space for you to write in your checking account number and your bank routing number, or you may staple a voided check to the form.

To initiate a payroll deduction installment agreement, submit Form 2159, Payroll Deduction Agreement. Form 2159 must be completed by your employer. The IRS will set up a regular installment agreement for you and convert it to a payroll deduction agreement upon receipt of the completed form from your employer.

It is important not to ignore an IRS notice. If you do not pay your tax liability in full or make an alternative payment arrangement, the IRS is entitled to take collection action.

If you are unable to make any payment at this time, have your financial information available (e.g., pay stubs, lease or rental agreement, mortgage statements, car lease/loan, utilities) and call the appropriate number below to receive assistance:

Individual taxpayers: 800-829-1040
Business taxpayers: 800-829-4933

You have rights and protections throughout the collection process. If you would like information on making arrangements regarding any of the IRS tax payment options refer to Publication 594 The IRS Collection Process

source: irs.gov

Do you think the IRS has a heart? Well, the Internal Revenue Service wants you to think so. Although the IRS has historically been cold-heartened and downright ruthless, it appears they recognize that many taxpayers are having difficult times financially. There can be a tax impact to events such as job loss, foreclosure, bankruptcy or tapping a retirement fund that may result in you not being able to pay your federal income tax. The IRS wants to help, sort-of, by providing this advice for those of you who can’t pay your taxes.

So what do you do if you can’t pay your federal taxes?

“The first thing to do is not panic. If you cannot pay the full amount of taxes you owe, you should still file your return by the deadline and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest. You also should contact the IRS immediately to discuss your payment options at 1-800-829-1040. The agency may be able to provide some relief such as a short-term extension to pay, an installment agreement or an offer in compromise. In some cases, the agency may be able to waive penalties. However, the agency is unable to waive interest charges which accrue on unpaid tax bills” as is stated on the IRS website.

If you will owe a significant amount of federal taxes and can’t pay it, one of best things to do is consult with a tax attorney before you contact the IRS. The tax attorney will go over your situation, give the options available and make you feel more at ease. If you decide to hire the tax attorney, he can represent you in your case with the Internal Revenue Service

source: irs.gov

Federal tax help is now available for American taxpayers for the 2009 federal income tax season. The Internal Revenue Service has updated the 2009 IRS Tax Guide on it’s website www.irs.gov.

Taxpayers can look forward to getting their income tax questions answered and discovering the various tax breaks and deductions available this year. Many of these federal income tax breaks and tax changes are due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The newly revised Publication 17, “Your Federal Income Tax”, is a comprehensive guide that features details on all the new tax-saving opportunities, such as the Making Work Pay credit, the education credit for parents with youngsters in college, the energy credits for homeowners going green, and those for first-time homebuyers.

The 308-page guide provides almost 7,000 interactive links to help taxpayers quickly get answers to their federal tax questions.

Publication 17 has been produced annually by the IRS for more than 65 years and has been available on-line since 1996. As always,, the tax guide is packed with tax-filing information and tips on what income to report and how to report it, figuring capital gains and losses, claiming dependents, and some basics such as choosing the standard deduction versus itemizing deductions.

To get Publication 17, go to www.irs.gov and enter “17″ in the search box in the upper right corner of the home page or use this link 2009 IRS Tax Guide.

Printed copies of the tax guide will be made available in January 2010. To request a copy or need federal tax help - call 1-800-829-3676.

source: tallahassee.com, irs.gov

The global recession has put millions of American out of work in 2009. If you are one them, you need to know the answer to the following federal tax questions:

1. Are there tax breaks or tax exemptions for unemployment compensation when filing my 2009 Federal income tax return?

2. Where can I get the tax help to answer this federal tax question?

To get the answer you could search the IRS website, contact an IRS agent for federal tax help, consult an income tax attorney, talk to your tax accountant or wade through the 2009 federal income tax manual and get the answer yourself.

Or you can get this important tax information below:

Yes, there is a tax benefit for those who received unemployment compensation in 2009.

The first $2,400 of 2009 Unemployment Compensation is TAX-FREE.

This is a one-year federal income tax exemption granted by the stimulus act.

Unemployment benefits above the $2,400 limit will still count as taxable income.

source: smartmoney