If you owe the IRS and can’t pay in full, you may qualify for an installment agreement or another IRS payment plan. But not all payment plans are the same—and applying incorrectly can lead to higher penalties, rejected requests, or even aggressive IRS collections.

At Polaris Tax & Accounting in Plantation, FL, we help individuals and businesses create IRS payment plans that actually stick—while exploring smarter options like penalty abatement, Offer in Compromise, or delaying collections altogether.

What Is an IRS Payment Plan?

An IRS payment plan (also called an installment agreement) allows you to pay your tax debt over time in monthly installments. You must still file all required tax returns, and penalties and interest will continue to accrue until the full balance is paid—unless you qualify for relief.

Types of payment plans include:

Short-Term Payment Plan (180 days or less)

  • No setup fee

  • Can pay online, by check, or via direct debit

  • Ideal if you can pay off your debt soon

Long-Term Payment Plan (Installment Agreement)

  • Monthly payments over time

  • Setup fees may apply

  • Direct debit often required if you owe over $25,000

Partial Payment Installment Agreement (PPIA)

  • Pay less than the full amount over time

  • Based on your financial situation

  • Requires full financial disclosure

Why DIY Can Backfire: Common Mistakes with IRS Installment Agreements

Many Plantation-area taxpayers try to set up payment plans directly with the IRS—and unfortunately, they make costly mistakes:

  • Agreeing to unaffordable payments that cause them to default later

  • Over disclosing assets when a leaner budget would reduce the payment

  • Missing out on penalty abatement or OIC eligibility

  • Not requesting holds on enforced collection actions (like levies or wage garnishments)

Polaris can help you avoid IRS traps and maximize your options before you commit to a plan.

How Polaris Helps Plantation Taxpayers with IRS Payment Plans

We don’t just check a box—we build custom tax relief strategies that consider your:

  • Income and expenses

  • Asset equity

  • Household size and hardship factors

  • Other resolution options (OIC, CNC, penalty relief)

What Our IRS Payment Plan Help Includes:

  • Initial consultation to determine the best payment plan option

  • Full IRS transcript review

  • IRS communications on your behalf

  • Documentation prep and submission

  • Appeal support if your request is denied

  • Ongoing monitoring of your IRS account status

Do You Qualify for a Better Option?

Not everyone should enter a payment plan.

You may be a better candidate for:

At Polaris, we review all angles before locking you into a long-term payment plan.

Local Help Matters — We’re Based in Plantation, FL

Our office is conveniently located at:

150 S Pine Island Rd, Suite 300, Plantation, FL 33324

We work with clients across Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac, and greater Broward County.

You can also schedule a confidential consultation here.

Get IRS Payment Plan Help Now — Before Collections Escalate

If you’ve received:

  • A CP14 or CP504 Notice

  • Threats of levy or garnishment

  • IRS letters requesting immediate payment

Then it’s time to act. We’ll step in quickly to:

  • Stop IRS collections (including wage garnishment and bank levies)

  • Negotiate a fair payment plan—or something better

  • Help you sleep again at night

Final Thought: Don’t Let the IRS Decide What You Can Afford

The IRS uses internal formulas and assumptions when reviewing your payment plan request. Unless you provide supporting documentation that reflects your true financial picture, you may be stuck paying more than you can afford.

Let Polaris Tax & Accounting handle it—with expertise, precision, and strategy.

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