IRS Hardship Program: How can it help you?

IRS HARDSHIP PROGRAM: HOW CAN IT HELP YOU?

Are you behind on your taxes, and there is no way you can pay them off? Don’t worry! The IRS has got your covered. You might think that the IRS is the last place where you would seek help during a monetary crisis. However, the IRS offers a number of tax relief programs for taxpayers who are going through extreme economic hardship. One such option is the IRS hardship program.

Under the IRS hardship program, a person might qualify for the ‘Currently Not Collectible’ status. Once you get this status, the IRS cannot take your property or paycheck for fulfilling the outstanding tax debt. Learn more about the IRS hardship programs from experienced tax resolution service providers. These professional experts can also help you get a payment plan with the IRS.

Reasons for which you can get the CNC status

There are a number of reasons for which you can get the CNC status through the IRS hardship program. The basic stipulation is that a person is qualified for the CNC status if the collection of the debt would create a financial crisis for them where they are not able to pay essential living expenses. However, you would have to prove your hardship to the IRS. For this, you will be submitting financial information using Form 433A/433F or Form 433B - the former is for self-employed or individual taxpayers while the latter is for partnerships and corporations. Through the Collection Information Statement and the supporting documents, the IRS will get the following information:

  • Everything you own, including bank accounts, real estate properties, investment portfolios, cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats, life insurance, retirement savings, etc.
  • Expense statements of the last 3 months
  • Income statements for the last 3 months
  • The market value of every asset you have
  • A three-month average of expenses and income on the basis of category

Under the IRS Hardship Program, the taxpayers also need to disclose sensitive financial information. This is why some taxpayers opt for an online payment agreement. The online payment agreements do not only have less disclosure but are also easier to qualify in comparison to the IRS Hardship Program.

Who is qualified for the IRS Hardship Program?

Once you have been declared CNC under the IRS Hardship Program, no collection actions will be taken against you for collecting the tax debt. These collection actions include:

  • Tax Lien - Legal claim by the government on your property, including personal, real asset, and financial assets.
  • Tax Levy - Selling away your property for settling the outstanding debt.
  • Garnished wages - Collecting a portion of your income until the debt is settled off.

All the rules of the IRS Hardship Program are applicable for 10 years which is also the duration the federal agency has for collecting back taxes. After 10 years, the statute of limitations is enforced. Every two years after declaring the CNC status, the IRS will be reviewing your information. They do this to check if you still are eligible for the IRS Hardship program. If they find that you are financially capable of paying your tax debt, they will revoke the IRS Hardship program and remove your CNC status.

When you are in the IRS Hardship Program, the government won’t be seizing your property, wiping your account, or taking away your paycheck. But, this doesn’t mean that you are off the hook. The CNC status just stops the collection actions. The interests and penalties will still accrue on your debt. Here are some of the penalties you will be facing for not paying your taxes and late filing.

Penalties you will be facing for not paying your taxes and late filing

If you don’t file your returns by 15th April, the return due date or the extended date you receive after filing for an extension, you will be charged 5% of the unpaid tax every month for up to 5 months.
Failure to Pay

Not paying the taxes by the due date or the extended date can result in a penalty of 5% of the unpaid tax. In case of an approved installment period, you will be charged 0.25% of the debt. If you pay within 10 days after receiving the Notice of Intent to Levy, a penalty of 1% of the tax debt will be charged. For every month you don't pay the taxes, there will be a recurrent charge until the penalty reaches 25% of the debt or you pay off the debt.

Even if your account is currently under the IRS Hardship program, it doesn’t mean that your status won’t roll over automatically. The IRS considers your eligibility for the program separately. If possible, you should pay the new taxes immediately. It won’t have any effect on your CNC status from the past years.

However, if you are not able to pay the new taxes also, you can request CNC status under the IRS Hardship Program for that year as well. With each year, it will become increasingly difficult to get that status. Also, the IRS will penalize you, and in the end, you might be forced to pay the debt using alternative payment methods like Installment Agreement or Offer in Compromise. If you are eligible for the IRS Hardship program, it is best that you hire professional experts. They will be advocating on your behalf and help you get the best tax relief option available.

Frequently Asked Questions About IRS Hardship Program

A person qualifies for an IRS Hardship if

 

➢ Their annual salary is less than $84,000

➢ They have very little or no money left after paying for living expenses

➢ The IRS definition of basic living expenses can be divided into four expense categories

  • Housing and utilities
  • Transportation
  • Medical expenses (out-of-pocket)
  • Food, personal care products, clothing, and housekeeping supplies

Begin the process of filing for financial hardship by filling out the appropriate forms (you will find related information on the IRS website). Taxpayers filing for a personal obligation are required to fill out and send in Form 433-A. Individuals requesting business tax debt must fill out and send in Form 433-B. 

Mail copies of your monthly bills for utilities, food, personal expenses, mortgage or rent, medical bills with your IRS form. 

The IRS would agree that you have financial hardship if you prove that you cannot or can barely meet your living expenses, and paying your taxes would create an unfair financial hardship. If you qualify, the IRS will not seize your property or attach your bank account while you have a hardship status. However, you will still owe back taxes. 

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FinishLine Tax Solutions
FinishLine Tax Solutions
FinishLine Tax Solutions is a full-service, fully accredited tax resolution firm in Houston, TX, assisting companies and individuals nationwide in resolving tax problems with the IRS. We specialize in areas of back taxes such as IRS wage garnishments, IRS bank levies, and unfiled tax returns. Our team of experts comprised of licensed Enrolled Agents, CPAs, & IRS Tax Attorneys can assist you with IRS Audit Representation and Tax Planning. We are one of the leading tax resolution firms in the nation and your go-to tax relief firm that can take you to the Finish Line. Call us today to learn more about our tax relief process and tax resolution services.

FinishLine Tax Solutions is a full-service, fully accredited tax resolution firm in Houston, TX, assisting companies and individuals nationwide in resolving tax problems with the IRS. We specialize in areas of back taxes such as IRS wage garnishments, IRS bank levies, and unfiled tax returns. Our team of experts comprised of licensed Enrolled Agents, CPAs, & IRS Tax Attorneys can assist you with IRS Audit Representation and Tax Planning. We are one of the leading tax resolution firms in the nation and your go-to tax relief firm that can take you to the Finish Line. Call us today to learn more about our tax relief process and tax resolution services.

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