The IRS phone line for payment plans is 1-800-829-1040, open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time

When you owe taxes and cannot pay in full, the IRS lets you set up a payment plan — a formal agreement to pay what you owe over time. You can reach the IRS by phone to discuss your options, but the process is not immediate. You will wait on hold, and the agent will need specific information about your tax situation before they can discuss a plan with you.

The main IRS phone line handles payment plan requests along with other tax matters. Call 1-800-829-1040 during business hours. Have your Social Security number, tax return information, and details about what you owe ready before you call. The IRS also offers other ways to set up a payment plan — online through IRS.gov or by mail — which may be faster depending on your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS payment plan phone line is 1-800-829-1040, open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time, and you will likely wait 30 minutes or longer.
  • You need your Social Security number, the tax year you owe for, and the amount owed before calling, so the agent can pull up your account.
  • The IRS offers three types of payment plans: short-term (120 days or less), long-term installment agreements, and streamlined agreements for smaller amounts.
  • Setting up a payment plan by phone does not stop collection actions immediately — you should ask the agent whether your case is currently in collection.
  • Online setup through IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app may be faster than calling if you owe less than $50,000 and have a recent tax return.

What information you need before calling

The IRS agent will ask for your Social Security number first, then pull up your account to see which tax years you owe for and how much. Have this ready: your most recent tax return (or the tax year in question), the total amount you believe you owe, and any recent correspondence from the IRS about the debt. If you have already received a notice of intent to levy or a final notice and demand for payment, have that document nearby — it shows the IRS has already begun collection action.

If you are calling about a business tax debt, have your Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead of a Social Security number. If someone else is calling on your behalf, you will need to authorize them first — the IRS will not discuss your account with a spouse, accountant, or family member without written power of attorney on file.

How long the call takes and what to expect

Wait times vary widely. During tax season (January through April), expect to hold for 45 minutes to over an hour. Outside tax season, 20 to 30 minutes is more typical. The IRS does not offer callback options on this line, so you will hold until an agent picks up.

Once connected, the agent will verify your identity, pull up your account, and explain what you owe and when it is due. They will then ask about your financial situation — income, expenses, and assets — to determine what you can afford to pay each month. Based on your answer, they will propose a payment plan. The agent can set up the plan immediately over the phone, but you will receive written confirmation by mail within two weeks.

The three types of IRS payment plans

The IRS offers different plans depending on how much you owe and how quickly you can pay. A short-term payment plan covers debts you can pay off in 120 days or less. There is no setup fee, and you do not need to provide financial information — you simply tell the agent when you can pay the full amount.

A long-term installment agreement is for debts you cannot pay within 120 days. The IRS charges a setup fee (currently $31 to $225 depending on how you set it up) and requires you to disclose your income and expenses. Monthly payments are typically $25 or more. The IRS will place a lien on your property if you owe more than $10,000, meaning they have a legal claim against your assets until the debt is paid.

A streamlined installment agreement is available if you owe $50,000 or less in combined tax, penalties, and interest. The setup fee is lower, and you do not have to provide detailed financial information. You can set this up online or by phone, and it is the fastest option if you may have access to.

What happens after you set up a plan by phone

The agent will give you a confirmation number before you hang up. Write it down. You will receive a formal agreement in the mail within two weeks that shows the monthly payment amount, the due date each month, and the total number of payments. Do not throw away this letter — keep it with your tax records.

Your first payment is usually due 30 days after the agreement is signed. You can pay by check, money order, electronic funds withdrawal (automatic deduction from your bank account), credit or debit card, or through IRS.gov. If you set up automatic withdrawal, the IRS will deduct the payment on the same date each month, which reduces the setup fee.

If you miss a payment or your financial situation changes, contact the IRS again at the same number. Missing a payment can terminate the agreement, and the full balance becomes due immediately. If your circumstances improve and you can pay faster, you can request to increase your monthly payment or pay off the debt early without penalty.

When to call versus using other methods

Calling is useful if your situation is complicated — for example, if you have already received a levy notice, if you owe for multiple tax years, or if you need to explain unusual circumstances. An agent can answer questions about what happens if you cannot make a payment and can discuss whether your case qualifies for currently not collectible status (a temporary pause on collection).

However, calling is slower than setting up a plan online. If you owe $50,000 or less and have a recent tax return, you can set up a streamlined agreement on IRS.gov in minutes without waiting on hold. You can also mail Form 9465 (Installment Agreement Request) to the IRS address shown in your notice, though this takes longer — typically four to six weeks for approval.

Common issues when calling

The IRS phone system sometimes disconnects during peak times. If you are disconnected, call back and have your confirmation number ready if you received one. If you were not given a confirmation number, the agent will need to pull up your account again using your Social Security number.

Some callers report that agents give conflicting information about payment amounts or plan terms. If this happens, ask the agent to repeat the monthly payment amount and the total number of payments, and write it down. When you receive the written agreement in the mail, verify it matches what the agent told you. If it does not, call back immediately with your confirmation number to correct it before you make your first payment.

If you cannot reach a live agent after multiple attempts, you can also set up a payment plan through the IRS2Go mobile app or by visiting IRS.gov and selecting "Payment Plans" under the Payments section. These options do not require a phone call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will setting up a payment plan stop the IRS from garnishing my wages or taking my bank account?

Setting up a payment plan does not automatically stop collection actions. However, once you are in an active payment plan and making payments on time, the IRS typically pauses wage garnishment and bank levies. Ask the agent during your call whether your account is currently in active collection and whether setting up the plan will stop any ongoing actions.

What if I cannot afford the monthly payment the agent suggests?

Tell the agent your actual monthly expenses and income. They can lower the payment amount, which will extend the length of the plan. If you truly cannot afford any payment right now, ask about currently not collectible status — this temporarily pauses collection while you get back on your feet, though interest and penalties continue to accrue.

Can I set up a payment plan for someone else's tax debt?

Only if you have power of attorney on file with the IRS. You will need to submit Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) before calling. Without it, the IRS will not discuss the account with you, even if you are a spouse or family member.

How much does it cost to set up a payment plan by phone?

The setup fee ranges from $31 to $225 depending on the type of plan and how you set it up. Short-term plans have no fee. Long-term plans cost more if you pay by check or money order than if you set up automatic bank withdrawal. Ask the agent for the exact fee before you agree to the plan.

What if I pay off my plan early?

You can pay off the remaining balance at any time without penalty. There is no prepayment fee. Contact the IRS to confirm the exact payoff amount, since interest continues to accrue until the debt is fully paid.