New online IRS tax debt tool helps taxpayers find the best way to pay

April 24, 2026
Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

When you owe taxes but can’t pay your bill in full, the Internal Revenue Service offers a variety of debt settlement options. Now, the agency has a new online Tax Debt Help tool to help you determine which of its payment options works best for you.

As Tax Day 2026 neared, I posted about how Internal Revenue Service payment plans could help you deal with a large tax bill.

But that’s just one option to pay tax you owe.

And now, the IRS has created a new online tool to help both individual and business taxpayers find which of the agency’s various payment possibilities works best for them.

New online tax debt guidance: The new Tax Debt Tool, as the tax agency has dubbed it, is atop IRS.gov’s special Get Help With Tax Debt page.

It “walks users through a series of straightforward questions about their financial situation and tax debt,” according to the IRS’ announcement of the debt resolution feature. “Based on taxpayer responses, the tool will guide them to potential payment and resolution options available through the IRS.”

I don’t owe more than I can pay, but of course I had to take a test run.

The answers I gave to its six questions prompted the online suggestion that I ask the IRS to temporarily delay its collection process.

Other taxpayer circumstances and query replies could lead them to other payments choices, such as payment plans or an offer in compromise for those who qualify. The debt help page elaborates on those possibilities, and more.

One area offers additional information on special situations under which a taxpayer could get tax relief. These include tax matters involving a spouse, disaster area declarations, military deployment, and identity theft.

The page also has drop-down menus on other tax help topics, such as the various ways taxpayers facing large tax bills can get help.

Increasing digital solutions: The Tax Debt Help tool is the latest in the IRS’ effort to expand digital services. The initiative’s goal is to help taxpayers more quickly resolve issues while reducing the need for phone calls or in-person visits.

The IRS says it designed the tool to be easy to use and accessible to a wide range of taxpayers. It does not require specialized tax knowledge. Plus, it’s available 27/7.

In addition, the online tax debt tool protects taxpayer privacy. It does not require taxpayers to enter personally identifiable information. Users can explore available options without providing details such as Social Security numbers, names, or addresses.

“By guiding taxpayers through their options to pay with simple, interactive questions, we’re helping them understand the paths available and take confident next steps,” said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano.

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Tax Season 2026 Continues!

We made it. Tax Day 2025 is finally over. For most of us. When the filing season started on Jan. 26, millions who were expecting refunds filed immediately. Most of us got our returns to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15. But plenty of taxpayers also got extensions. They are looking at an Oct. 15 filing deadline.

Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

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