Yes. When requesting an installment agreement to pay your federal tax balance over time, you are required to make an initial payment of at least $25 when you file your return.
To minimize penalties and interest, it’s recommended that you pay the highest amount you can afford with your initial payment.
How do I report my payment when I e-file?
If you're making a payment at the time you file your tax return, it's important to enter the same payment amount in both places during the e-file process:
- Step 1: When completing the installment agreement, enter the amount you plan to pay (e.g., $100).
- Step 2: When prompted during the e-file submission to enter your current payment amount, enter the same amount (e.g., $100).
Important: These amounts must match exactly. If they don’t, the IRS may reject your electronic submission.
How do I know if the IRS has accepted my installment agreement?
When you make an installment agreement through our program, the IRS will generally respond to your request within 30 days of receipt of your request via mail to let you know if it was accepted or rejected. Once approved, an IRS agent may contact you to request your financial records to verify the amounts you have agreed to pay.
You can view more information regarding this topic by visiting the IRS website here.