Getting Priority Tax Relief for 2025 Filing: Options and Requirements

Thanks for the info. How exactly do I contact the IRS to set up an installment plan? I've tried calling but can never get through to a real person. And what kind of documentation would I need to prove financial hardship for an OIC?

The easiest way to set up an installment agreement is through the IRS website. For debts under $50,000, you can usually get approved online without speaking to anyone. Go to IRS.gov and search for "online payment agreement." You'll need your tax return info, bank account numbers, and to create an account if you don't already have one. For an Offer in Compromise, the documentation is much more extensive. You'll need to complete Form 656 and Form 433-A, which require detailed financial information including all assets, income, expenses, and bank statements. You essentially need to prove that you cannot reasonably pay the full amount in the foreseeable future. The IRS looks at your entire financial picture to determine eligibility.

Does it actually help with submitting the forms or just tell you which ones to use? I'm terrible with paperwork and always mess something up.

I'm skeptical about these online services. How does it compare to just hiring a CPA or tax attorney? Those commercials for tax relief companies always sound like scams, so I'm hesitant about any service making big claims.

It does both - it tells you which forms you need and then helps you complete them correctly. The system walks you through each section step-by-step and explains what information goes where. It even flags potential errors or inconsistencies before you submit anything. I'm also terrible with paperwork and found this extremely helpful. Completely understand the skepticism. The main difference is cost and accessibility. A good tax attorney can charge $300-500 per hour, while CPAs often want several thousand upfront for tax resolution work. This service provides similar guidance at a fraction of the cost. Unlike those "pennies on the dollar" companies, it doesn't make unrealistic promises - it analyzes your actual situation and shows you legitimate options based on IRS guidelines.

How does this even work? I thought it was impossible to get through to the IRS without waiting for hours. Are they like some special service with insider access?

This sounds too good to be true. The IRS is notoriously impossible to reach. I've literally spent entire days on hold before getting disconnected. I find it hard to believe any service could consistently get through in 15 minutes.

It's actually pretty straightforward - they use an automated system that continuously redials and navigates the IRS phone tree until it connects with an agent. Once an agent is on the line, you get a call to join the conversation. No special access or insider connections, just smart technology that handles the frustrating part of the process. I was extremely skeptical too. I had spent countless hours trying to reach the IRS myself. My longest wait was 3 hours before getting disconnected. I was at my wit's end and decided to try Claimyr as a last resort. I was connected to an IRS agent in about 12 minutes. It was honestly shocking how well it worked after all my failed attempts. The relief of finally speaking to someone who could help resolve my tax issues was worth every penny.

Do you need to qualify for the Taxpayer Advocate Service? I thought they only help in hardship situations or when you've been trying to resolve an issue for a long time without success.

You're right that the Taxpayer Advocate Service typically helps with hardship situations or cases where you've made multiple attempts to resolve an issue with the IRS without success. They prioritize cases where people are facing immediate negative financial impact, like the threat of losing housing or transportation. In most tax debt situations, especially ones with liens or levies threatened, you'll likely qualify for their help. But even if you don't qualify for their full service, they can still point you toward the right resources. They're one of the few truly free options available, and they work for the taxpayer, not the collection division of the IRS.

I did this successfully last year. Called the IRS (took forever to get through) and set up a payment plan for $22,000. First, I requested Currently Not Collectible status which they granted for 6 months when my income was really low. Then I set up a $250/month payment plan after I got a new job. They were actually reasonable to work with once I finally reached someone.

I tried the DIY approach and messed it up badly. Filed the wrong form for an OIC and got rejected, which reset my collection timeline. I think it depends on how complicated your situation is and how comfortable you are with tax forms.