Tax Relief Loans

What you need to know about Tax Relief loans

Written by George Spearov

Tax relief loans from the IRS can help taxpayers who can’t pay their taxes due to unexpected circumstances. These loans are intended to help those facing hardship, and they can be a great way to get the financial help you need.

Tax relief loans come in two varieties: federal and state

 

  • Federal tax relief loans are offered through the IRS and are only available to those who owe taxes. 

 

  • State tax relief loans are offered by individual states and are generally offered to those who owe less than $50,000. 

 

There are many tax relief loans available on the market. It is important to do your research before selecting a loan to ensure you are getting the best deal. 

Before agreeing to a loan, it is important to compare the fees and rates that different lenders charge.

One way to easily compare rates is to use a comparison website such as [LINK]

What is tax debt relief?

If you owe money in taxes to the federal government, that amount is considered tax debt. 

Tax debt can be a big burden for many Americans. 

If you’re struggling to pay your taxes, there are ways to get out of trouble. Some programs let you pay less than what you owe, while others may offer debt forgiveness. These programs allow you to pay back what you owe at a lower rate.

You can also apply for an installment agreement with the IRS. That program allows you to pay back your debt over time, instead of all at once. 

You’ll still need to pay what you owe, but you won’t have to worry about late fees or interest charges.

You may be eligible for an installment agreement if you owe $10,000 or less at the time of filing. You must file Form 6251 with the IRS to apply for an installment agreement. If approved, you’ll need to make monthly payments until you’ve paid all your tax debt.

Who Qualifies For A Tax Relief  Payment Plan?

There are many payment plan options available, and the best option for you depends on your individual financial situation.

The tax relief payment plan is a government program that helps taxpayers who are struggling to pay their taxes. 

The program provides low-interest loans to help taxpayers pay their tax debt. 

To qualify for the program, taxpayers must show that they cannot afford to pay their taxes. 

The program is available to individuals and businesses. 

First thing to do is determine whether you should sign up in person, by mail, by phone or online. 

While online setup for long-term payment plans is often cheaper than other methods, or even free, not all filers will be able to take advantage of it.

For example:

 

  • If you owe less than $100,000, you can sign up for a short-term payment plan. 

 

  • If you owe $50,000 or less, you can sign up for a long-term payment plan.

 

 

Individuals who fall outside these limits must sign up for their payment plan by phone, mail or in person.

To apply for the tax relief payment plan, taxpayers must complete an application form and submit it to the IRS. The form asks for information about the taxpayer’s income, assets, and expenses. 

To sign up for a payment plan by phone, you can call 800-829-1040.

The IRS evaluates the application and determines whether the taxpayer qualifies for a loan. If the taxpayer qualifies, the IRS will provide a loan agreement specifying the terms of the loan. 

Qualifying for a tax relief payment plan can help taxpayers avoid penalties and interest charges from the IRS.

If you don’t qualify for an installment agreement another option is an offer in compromise, which allows you to settle your debt for less than the full amount owed. 

You may also be able to get relief by enrolling in a payment plan or by getting a loan from the IRS. 

Offer in compromise

An offer in compromise allows a taxpayer to settle their tax liabilities for an amount that is less than what is owed. This agreement is made between the taxpayer and the IRS.

If you want to try to settle your tax bill for less than you owe, you can apply for an Offer in Compromise

To see if you qualify, the IRS will look at your income, what you own, and your expenses. You will also need to file all required tax returns. The agency may also consider whether the taxpayer has been compliant with all tax laws in the past. 

An offer in compromise is granted by the IRS based on the following factors:

 

  • Your ability to pay

 

  • Your income
  • Your expenses
  • Your asset equity

 

 

An offer in compromise is one form of tax relief available from the IRS. If you’re struggling to pay your taxes, there are other options you can choose, like paying in installments or getting rid of penalties.

Can tax relief companies help?

When it comes to tax relief, there are a lot of companies that claim they can help. But can they? And should you trust them? 

If you’re considering using a tax relief company, these are three important things to look for:

  • The first is experience. Make sure the company has been in business for a while and has helped people with their taxes before. 
  • The second is accreditation. A good tax relief company will be accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or some other organization that vets businesses.
  • Finally, check out the company’s fees. A good company won’t charge you until they’ve actually helped you reduce your taxes. So be sure to ask about fees before signing up with any company. 

Paying your tax debt with a personal loan

When you are dealing with a large tax debt, the stress can be overwhelming. 

If you’re struggling to pay your tax debt, taking out a personal loan may be an option to consider. But, you should be aware that there are potential fees associated with this route. 

For borrowers with good credit and a lot of tax debt, this could be a good option for avoiding the fees coupled with unpaid taxes.

A personal loan can provide you with the tax relief you need by giving you a lump sum of money that can be used to pay your taxes. This option may be preferable to using credit cards or taking out a home equity loan, as it can be less expensive in the long run.

Before you take out a personal loan to pay your taxes, make sure you shop around for the best interest rate. 

You can evaluate different loan companies on this site {LINK]

The IRS updates interest rates on a quarterly basis. As of the first quarter of 2020, the interest rate for underpayments is 5%. But, when you add in the accruing failure-to-pay penalty plus a payment plan setup fee, a personal loan might be a more cost-conscious option.

Pros and cons of paying tax debt with a personal loan 

Pros 

  • If you have a good to excellent credit score, you could secure a lower APR than what you might pay with the IRS between  penalties and interest..
  • You’ll pay off the debt in equal monthly installments you can afford.
  • Taking out and paying off a personal loan could raise your credit score.

Cons  

  • For many borrowers, the rate of a personal loan will be much higher than what you’ll pay through the IRS.  
  • You may be subject to fees, including loan origination ( 1% to 8%) and late penalty fees and prepayment penalties.  
  • You won’t have leverage to negotiate your tax debt if you pay it with a personal loan.

Some things you should keep in mind when considering a tax relief loan:

  1. What is the interest rate?
  2. What are the fees?
  3. What is the length of time to repay the loan?
  4. What is the least and the most amount of money I can borrow?
  5. What is the repayment schedule?
  6. Are there any prepayment penalties?
  7. Is there a grace period before I have to start making payments?
  8. What is the default rate?

Final Thoughts

A tax relief loan can be a helpful tool for those who are struggling to pay their taxes. 

 The loan can be used to pay any type of tax, including federal, state, and local taxes. 

The interest rate is lower than the interest rate on a credit card, and the loan can be used to pay off the tax debt over time.

One downside of a tax relief loan is that it can take several days to obtain the funds. Another downside is that you have to pay the loan back in full, plus interest. 

So it’s important to think carefully about whether a loan is the best option for you.

*Editorial note: The content of this post is based solely on the author’s opinions, and should not be considered as fact or advice. We strongly recommend seeking professional help when dealing with financial issues