We all know that if we do not pay our tax bill, the IRS heavily penalizes us. Yet, we might not
afford to pay our tax bill on time. So, what could we do? In fact, assistance could come from an
unlikely place: the IRS itself.
GETTING A LOAN FROM THE IRS
This might look strange
to a lot of us that the IRS might be willing to help us. However, the IRS prefers to get paid in a
way that it eventually gets paid and earns some interest on the loan to the possibility of not
getting paid at all after a costly and protracted legal battle. This arrangement helps taxpayer and
the IRS.
ADVANTAGES OF IRS LOAN
- Significantly lower interest rates
compared to what you would pay to another lender such as your bank or credit card
issuer.
- Usually, most people who apply are approved, subject to some limitations
explained later.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
- File Your Taxes by April 15:
This is very important to still file your taxes by April 15, 2010.
- Include Form 9465: This is the Installment Agreement
Request Request. On this form, you could suggest your own payment plan to the IRS.
- Get Approved Automatically : The IRS, usually, automatically approves your request
if you owe less than $25,000 and propose to pay it off in 60 months.If you owe more than $25,000 or
need more time than 60 months, then the IRS will require you to file some financial disclosure
forms. However, the IRS is still flexible and reasonable in approving your proposed
terms.
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH BORROWING
- Approval Notice: When
you receive your approval notice which should usually happen within 30 days of your filing, you will
be charged a one time set-up fee of $52, if you agree to automatic payments from your checking
account.
- Interest on Deferred Payment: Not surprisingly, the IRS charges 4% interest
rate annually, subject to quarterly adjustments, on deferred payments.
- Failure to Pay
Charge: The IRS each month also charges .25% failure to pay penalty.
- TOTAL COSTS:
These costs equate to 7% annual interest rates.
COMPARISON OF IRS LOAN AND OTHER
ALTERNATIVES
- Credit Card Comparison: 7% annual interest is much less than what
you would pay on your credit card outstanding balances.
- IRS Penalty: If you do not
pay, the IRS smacks you with a 5% failure to pay penalty. Such penalty will accrue until it equals
25% of your unpaid tax
balance.
________________
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DORON EGHBALI is a Partner at
the Beverly Hills Offices of Law Advocate Group, LLP. He Primarily Practices Business, Real Estate
and Entertainment Law. He Can Be Reached at: 310-651-3065. For More Information, Please, Visit: HERE.