My law firm’s Tax Relief Blog published a useful entry on the 10 most commonly asked questions about the IRS’ Offer in Compromise program. You can find a section of the article below, but be sure to read all 10 items at the Roni Deutch Tax Relief Blog.
1. What is an Offer in Compromise?
An OIC is an IRS tax resolution program that allows a taxpayer to settle their IRS back tax liability by paying less than they owe. The amount of a taxpayer’s needs to pay will vary depending on the taxpayer’s unique financial situation, as well as his or her original liability amount. However, it is usually significantly less than the tax debt owed. The IRS will only accept a taxpayer’s OIC if it is equal to or greater than the reasonable collection potential, which is the IRS’s measurement of the taxpayer’s ability to pay their debt. Most taxpayer’s will not qualify for this program.
2. How do I submit an Offer in Compromise?
You will need to complete and submit an OIC to the IRS. The OIC package generally consists of the following documents:
- IRS Form 656 – Offer in Compromise Form
- IRS Form 656-A – Income Certification for Offer in Compromise, if you believe you are not required to submit an application fee or payments based on your family unit size and income.
- Form 433-A – Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals
- Form 433-B – Collection Information Statement for Businesses (if applicable)
- $150.00 Application Fee
- 20% payment
3. Can I hire someone to help prepare an Offer in Compromise?
