8 Steps To Take If You Can’t Pay Your Taxes

What can you do if you don’t have the money to pay the IRS? Don’t stick your head in the sand and ignore the problem. Take these steps to face it head-on.

Many people dread tax season. Tax season is a very stressful time of the year. As a taxpayer, you are uncertain if you will owe taxes or get a refund.

I dread gathering all of my receipts and statements and entering the information in the tax software package that I purchase yearly. Tax season is less stressful if you don’t owe taxes. If you discover that you owe taxes and don’t have the money to pay, your stress level escalates.

What can you do if you don’t have the money to pay the IRS? Don’t stick your head in the sand and ignore the problem. You must face it head-on.

If you fail to pay your taxes, you will be worse off than before because you will owe the original tax plus interest and penalties. You could be subject to wage garnishment, bank account seizure, or subject to a tax lien on your property which lowers your credit score. However, there are several options available to help you if you cannot pay taxes owed.

Here are eight dynamic recommendations to follow if you can’t pay your taxes.

1. File – Even Though You Can’t Pay Your Taxes

This is a critical step in paying your taxes. You must file on time even if you can’t afford to pay the amount owed. The IRS charges a penalty for failing to file taxes (failure-to-file penalty) in addition to interest and penalties for any unpaid taxes owed.

There is no statute of limitations when the IRS can contact a taxpayer to pay taxes owed.

2. Seek Counsel

Consult a tax lawyer or CPA to review your taxes and any supporting documentation to ensure that the amount of taxes owed is accurate.

You can also call the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778 for free assistance.

3. Request an Extension on Paying Your Taxes

Request an extension to file taxes and request the maximum extension time of six months by filing IRS Form 1127. An extension only applies to filing and is not an extension to pay. Penalties and interest will still accrue on the total amount owed.

This will give you time to develop a solution to pay the taxes owed.

4. Tap Your Assets to Pay Your Taxes

Use money from your savings account to pay taxes owed. Go through your home and find any new or unused items in good condition that you can sell at a yard sale, flea market, or online, including any valuables. Sell stocks or bonds and use the cash to pay your taxes. Apply for a home equity or 401k loan for the total amount owed and use the money to pay your taxes.

6. Set Up a Payment Plan

An individual can set up an IRS installment plan if they owe $50,000 or less. If you are a business owner, you can set up an installment plan if you owe $25,000 or less.

Request an Offer in Compromise if you cannot pay the total amount owed. This allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the total amount owed if you will be unable to pay back the total amount owed within 10 years.

The IRS will charge a one-time fee to set up a payment plan. You can find current fees here.

7. Earn Extra Money

Consider getting a part-time job, working overtime at your current job, working two full-time jobs, or starting a part-time business to earn money to pay taxes owed.

You can also reduce your monthly spending by 30% – 50% to increase your monthly cash flow and use the money to pay your taxes.

Related: Side Gigs That Can Make You Extra Cash

8. File Bankruptcy If You Still Can’t Pay Your Taxes

This should be your last resort. Your taxes can be discharged when filing bankruptcy under certain conditions. You can file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Consult a tax attorney to help you determine if you are eligible. However, if you file for bankruptcy and still owe the IRS, it gives them extra time to collect the balance.

Related: Am I a Good Candidate For Bankruptcy?

Reviewed April 2023