Behind on taxes?There's a real way out.
The IRS Fresh Start Program can lower what you owe, stop aggressive collections, and set up a payment plan you can actually afford — even if you haven't filed in years. Here's how it works.
- Free, no obligation
- 100% confidential
- English & Spanish
In one minute
What is the IRS Fresh Start Program?
"Fresh Start" is the umbrella name for a set of IRS collection rules — expanded in 2011 and updated since — that make it easier for individuals and small business owners to resolve back taxes. It isn't a single form you file. It's a group of options: extended installment agreements, easier Offers in Compromise, more lenient liens, and penalty relief. The right combination depends on how much you owe, what you can pay, and whether your returns are filed.
Eligibility
Who qualifies for Fresh Start relief?
The IRS looks at your full financial picture, not just the balance. Most taxpayers who meet these basics qualify for at least one form of relief:
- You owe less than $50,000 in combined tax, penalties, and interest (higher amounts still qualify with more paperwork).
- You're current — or willing to get current — on all required tax returns.
- You can show the IRS what you make, what you spend, and what you own.
- You haven't been through bankruptcy that's still open.
Types of relief
The four Fresh Start tools we use most
One case can combine two or three of these — for example, filing missing returns, negotiating an Offer in Compromise on the remainder, and removing penalties along the way.
Installment Agreement
Pay what you owe in fixed monthly amounts. Streamlined agreements up to 72 months are available without a full financial disclosure for many taxpayers.
Offer in Compromise
Settle your tax debt for less than the full balance when paying in full would create real financial hardship. The IRS looks at income, expenses, and assets to decide what it can reasonably collect.
Currently Not Collectible
If you can't pay basic living expenses, the IRS can pause active collection. Interest still accrues, but wage garnishments and bank levies stop while you're in this status.
Penalty Abatement
First-time and reasonable-cause penalty relief can remove failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties — often thousands of dollars — when you qualify.
Haven't filed in years?
You can still use Fresh Start — you just start here.
Most Fresh Start options require you to be current on your returns before the IRS will negotiate. That sounds scary if it's been three, five, or ten years — but the IRS usually only asks for the last six years of returns to be considered "in compliance."
We pull your IRS wage and income transcripts, reconstruct the years you're missing, and file everything at once. In many cases the actual tax owed is far lower than the "Substitute for Return" the IRS assessed on your behalf — because those substitutes ignore deductions, dependents, and business expenses you're entitled to.
How to start
Three steps. No pressure.
STEP 01
Free case review
A short confidential conversation to understand what you owe, what's been filed, and what the IRS is doing right now.
STEP 02
IRS transcript pull
We pull your official IRS records so we know exactly what they see — no guessing, no surprises.
STEP 03
Custom Fresh Start plan
You get a written plan showing what relief you qualify for, what it will cost, and what your monthly outcome looks like.
FAQ
Common questions
Is the IRS Fresh Start Program real?+
Yes. It's a set of official IRS policies — not a marketing gimmick — that expand eligibility for installment agreements, Offers in Compromise, and penalty relief. The IRS doesn't advertise it, so most people first hear about it from a tax professional.
Will I really pay less than I owe?+
Sometimes. An Offer in Compromise can settle debt for less than the full balance when the IRS believes it can't reasonably collect the full amount. Not everyone qualifies — but many taxpayers who don't qualify for an OIC still get major relief through an affordable installment plan and penalty removal.
Can the IRS still garnish my wages while we're working on this?+
Once you're in an active resolution — for example, an approved installment agreement or pending Offer in Compromise — the IRS generally halts new enforced collections. Getting representation in place is what stops the clock.
How long does the process take?+
Installment agreements can be set up in weeks. Offers in Compromise typically take 6–12 months. Filing missing returns runs in parallel so you don't lose time.
Do I need to come to your office?+
No. Everything is handled by phone, email, and secure document upload. We work with clients across the U.S. in English and Spanish.
Ready to see what Fresh Start could look like for you?
A free, confidential case review takes about 15 minutes and shows you exactly which options you qualify for — with no obligation.