How to Check Your IRS Tax Balance and Pay Back Taxes

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Whether you suspect that you owe the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a payment or you aren’t sure how to pay past-due tax bills, it’s important to address your IRS tax balance before it gets out of hand. Find out how to check what you owe and learn how to pay your IRS tax balance.

How to Check Your IRS Tax Balance

If you misplaced your tax bill and can’t remember what you owe or if you want to access an updated payoff amount, you can easily check in with the IRS. Choose one of the three options below to find out the size of your tax balance.

Use the Online Tool

Keep in mind that the service is available throughout the week but is offline for maintenance on Saturday and Sunday nights. The online tool updates once a day, typically at night. Once you’ve logged in, you can check:

How to Check Your IRS Tax Balance and Pay Back Taxes

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How Much Tax Debt Do You Owe?

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Call the IRS

Accessing your online account is by far the easiest way to check your IRS tax balance. If you can’t verify your identity online or if you don’t have regular access to a computer, however, you can call the IRS instead.

Review Mailed IRS Notices

How to Pay Your Back Taxes

Transfer Funds From a Bank Account

Pay With a Credit or Debit Card

While each service charges a flat fee for debit cards, they all charge a percentage for credit cards. Be sure to confirm the fee in advance so you know exactly how much you’ll need to pay. Since the IRS also limits the frequency of credit and debit card payments, confirm that you are eligible for this service before initiating a payment.

Use a Voucher to Pay a Lockbox

If you’d rather pay your balance by check or money order, you’ll need to submit the payment along with a voucher. Since the payment voucher includes information that links your payment with your account, be sure to include both when mailing in your check or money order. In the event that you don’t have a voucher, you can get one from your nearest IRS office or call and ask the agency to mail one to you.

Request a Payment Plan

Neglecting to pay your tax balance can lead to wage garnishment, liens, and other consequences. If you can’t cover the balance, you may be able to space out payments over time to avoid additional penalties.

To set up a payment plan, log in to your online IRS account or call the agency’s payments department. You’ll need to propose a timeframe and payment frequency and then await approval from the IRS. Keep in mind that long-term installment agreements require setup fees, and you’ll likely continue to accrue interest and penalties until you’ve paid your IRS tax balance in full.

Whether you owe a little or a lot, learning that you have an IRS tax balance can have a substantial impact on your bank account. Since putting off your payments can lead to much more serious issues and bigger penalties, get the resources you need to tackle tax matters now. Get a free tax assistance consultation with Solvable, and start getting your finances back on track.

Expert Contributor
Last Updated: December 9, 2021 Solvable is a Trusted Source For

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