By Jennifer L. Rath, Enrolled Agent
If a taxpayer owes federal taxes, but does not have the financial ability to pay these taxes in full, the taxpayer can apply for a payment plan with the IRS to pay these taxes, and usually on a monthly basis. However, depending on the amount of taxes owed, the IRS may require the taxpayer to submit detailed financial information in order for the IRS to evaluate a suitable monthly payment. For this purpose, the IRS requires a taxpayer to prepare and submit a Collection Information Statement (CIS), typically through a Form 433, and with supporting financial ...
When an individual or business owes federal taxes, a lien arises in favor of the IRS in all property of the delinquent taxpayer. The IRS will often file a notice of this tax lien - a Notice of Federal Tax Lien or "NFTL" - in the state offices where the taxpayer resides or has property. The IRS generally uses IRS Form 668(Y), Notice of Federal Tax Lien, for this purpose. If the taxpayer is able to fully pay all the taxes owed to the IRS, the IRS will then issue a "Release" of the NFTL. The IRS is also authorized to "Discharge" its tax lien in specific property of a taxpayer (but otherwise retaining its ...