What is an Installment Agreement (Form 9465)?

If you can't pay your full federal tax balance when you file, you may be able to request an IRS Installment Agreement using Form 9465. An installment agreement lets you pay your tax debt through monthly payments instead of paying everything at once.

An Installment Agreement is a payment plan offered by the IRS that allows eligible taxpayers to pay the amount they owe over time through scheduled monthly payments.

Depending on the payment option you choose, setup fees may apply. The IRS determines eligibility and approval for all installment agreement requests.

How Do I Apply for an Installment Agreement?

You can request an IRS payment plan in several ways:

When filing your tax return
Online through IRS.gov
By phone
By mail
In person at an IRS office

If you complete the Installment Agreement Request in our software, you'll be able to:

Enter your proposed monthly payment amount
Provide your banking information for direct debit payments, or choose to pay by mail
Select your preferred monthly payment date

Your request will be transmitted to the IRS when you electronically file your return.

Where Do I Find the Installment Agreement in My Account?

To complete an Installment Agreement Request in the program, follow these steps:

Go to Federal
Select Miscellaneous Forms
Choose Installment Agreement Request

Before submitting your request, make sure you've completed all required:

Personal Information
Payment Details

The information entered in this section is included with your electronically filed return and sent to the IRS for review.

How Do I Pay Only the Minimum Amount When E-Filing With a Payment Plan?

If you're requesting an installment agreement through our software, you must specify the amount you want to pay when your return is filed.

Step 1: Enter Your Initial Payment Amount

In the Installment Agreement section, enter the amount you want to pay immediately in the field labeled "Amount Paid When E-Filing."

Step 2: Choose Direct Debit During E-Filing

As you move through the e-file process, select Direct Debit as your payment method.

Step 3: Enter the Same Payment Amount

Later in the e-file process, you'll be asked to enter your payment amount. This amount must exactly match the figure entered in the "Amount Paid When E-Filing" field.

Important

The amount entered in both places must be identical. If the amounts do not match, the IRS may reject your electronic filing.

How Will I Know If the IRS Approved My Installment Agreement?

After the IRS receives your installment agreement request, it will generally review the application and respond by mail.

In many cases, you can expect a notice from the IRS within approximately 30 days letting you know whether your request was approved or denied.

If your request is approved, the IRS may contact you and ask for additional financial information or documentation to verify your ability to make the proposed payments.

Additional IRS Resources

For more information about IRS installment agreements and payment plans, visit the IRS article:

What If I Have Requested an Installment Agreement?

What is an Installment Agreement (Form 9465)?