Setting up an IRS Payment Plan - Is it better to do it by Phone or Online?

This is a valid concern many taxpayers have these days. You absolutely can still set up a payment plan over the phone instead of online, and it might be the better option in your situation. When you call the IRS (1-800-829-1040), you can explain that you want to set up an installment agreement without creating an online account. The representative will ask for identifying information to verify your identity verbally, then they can establish your payment plan. You'll receive a confirmation letter in the mail with your payment details. For non-direct debit plans, you'll be able to make payments several ways without an online account: - Through the IRS Direct Pay system (no registration required) - By mailing checks with your payment vouchers - Using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) - Paying by credit/debit card through approved payment processors Just keep in mind that payment plans established by phone typically have slightly higher setup fees than online plans, but it's a reasonable trade-off if you're concerned about the biometric data requirements.

I was in a similar situation last year and found a better solution through taxr.ai that really helped me navigate the IRS payment plan maze. I was also super uncomfortable with the whole biometric thing, especially since the news had all those stories about data breaches. I discovered https://taxr.ai when looking for alternatives, and they analyzed my tax situation and provided a detailed explanation of all my payment options. They outlined exactly what information I would need to provide for each method (phone vs. online) and the pros/cons of each approach for my specific tax debt amount. What I found most helpful was that they explained how to properly request a payment plan that would minimize penalties and interest while protecting my privacy. They also provided a personalized script for the phone call with the IRS that made the whole process way smoother than I expected.

I wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai since I was initially skeptical. I decided to try it because I kept getting different answers from IRS reps every time I called. It was surprisingly helpful - I uploaded my IRS notice and financial information, and received a detailed analysis showing exactly how much I'd pay in fees, penalties and interest with different payment plans. The report showed me that setting up a 72-month plan by phone would actually save me money despite the higher setup fee because of how the penalties were structured for my situation. The step-by-step call script made the phone call with the IRS so much easier - the agent even commented that I was more prepared than most callers. I got my payment plan set up without creating an online account, and I'm saving about $280 over the life of my payment plan compared to what I was initially considering.

If you're having trouble getting through to the IRS on the phone (which is practically guaranteed these days), I recommend using Claimyr to get past the hold times. I spent DAYS trying to get through to set up my payment plan without using the online system. I found https://claimyr.com after my fifth attempt waiting on hold for 2+ hours before getting disconnected. They have this system where they navigate the IRS phone tree and wait on hold FOR you, then call you when there's actually an agent ready to talk. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c For something like setting up a payment plan where you need to talk to a real person but don't want to use the online system, it's a lifesaver. I was able to get my payment plan set up in a single afternoon instead of burning vacation days trying to get through.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr being a scam. After spending literally 4 hours on hold with the IRS yesterday only to get disconnected, I was desperate enough to try it. It actually worked exactly as advertised. I got a text when they started the call, updates while they were waiting, and then my phone rang when they had an IRS agent on the line. I was connected directly to a very helpful IRS representative who set up my payment plan over the phone. The whole process from my end took maybe 15 minutes of actual time. For anyone else worried about the biometric data thing, the phone agent confirmed that I could make all my payments through Direct Pay on the IRS website without creating an account. She sent me confirmation in the mail with all the information I'll need to make payments.

I went through this same issue last year. If you're worried about fees, there's another option - you can also set up a payment plan by mail by filing Form 9465 (Installment Agreement Request). The fee is the same as phone setup ($107 for non-direct debit), but it's completely paper-based if you're concerned about both online privacy AND phone wait times. The downside is that it can take 30+ days to process, so if your payment deadline is coming up soon, you might want to make at least a partial payment while waiting for approval to reduce penalties.

Just a heads up about those third-party payment processors when you make payments on the IRS site - they charge a processing fee that can add up if you're making monthly payments! If you set up your plan by phone but then pay online, consider using IRS Direct Pay instead of the credit/debit options. Direct Pay connects directly to your bank account and has no fees.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago and ended up calling the IRS to set up my payment plan specifically to avoid the biometric requirements. Here's what I learned: The phone process was actually pretty straightforward once I got through to someone. The agent was able to set up a non-direct debit installment agreement without me needing to create any online accounts. They just verified my identity using the information from my tax return and Social Security number. One thing to keep in mind - make sure you have all your paperwork ready when you call. They'll ask for your adjusted gross income from your previous year's return, your current year's balance due, and some basic personal information. Having everything organized made the call go much faster. After the phone setup, I've been making my monthly payments through IRS Direct Pay (as others mentioned) with no issues. No account creation needed - just your SSN, payment amount, and bank info each time. The confirmation emails they send are sufficient for record-keeping. The $76 difference in setup fees was worth it for me to avoid the privacy concerns. Plus, the phone agent was able to explain exactly how the payment plan would work and what would happen if I ever needed to modify it later.

I've been dealing with IRS payment plans for years and can confirm that calling them is definitely still a viable option, especially if you're uncomfortable with the biometric requirements. The online system's ID.me verification has been a real barrier for many taxpayers who value their privacy. When you call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, have your Social Security number, current year tax return, and the notice you received ready. The agent will verify your identity using information from your tax records rather than biometric data. They can set up your installment agreement right over the phone. You're correct that you can make payments without an account through their Direct Pay system - it's essentially the same third-party processor system you used before, just rebranded. No registration required, just your SSN and bank details for each payment. The main trade-offs are: phone setup costs $107 vs $31 online for non-direct debit plans, but you avoid the privacy concerns. Also, wait times can be brutal, so consider calling early in the morning or using one of those callback services others mentioned if you don't want to sit on hold for hours. Bottom line: your privacy concerns are valid, the phone option still exists, and plenty of people successfully manage their payment plans this way without ever creating an online account.

I totally understand your privacy concerns about the biometric data - that's exactly why I ended up going the phone route when I had to set up my payment plan last year. The whole ID.me facial recognition thing felt way too invasive for something as basic as paying taxes. Here's what worked for me: I called the IRS early on a Tuesday morning (around 7:30 AM) and got through in about 45 minutes, which honestly wasn't too bad compared to some horror stories I'd heard. The agent was actually really helpful and walked me through the whole process without any pressure to create an online account. The key things that made it smooth: I had my Social Security number, last year's AGI, and the current balance due amount ready before calling. The agent verified my identity just using that info - no biometric nonsense required. For the $76 extra fee ($107 vs $31), I figured it was worth it for peace of mind. And like others mentioned, you can absolutely make your monthly payments through Direct Pay without any account - I've been doing it for over a year now with zero issues. One tip: when you call, specifically tell them you want to avoid creating any online accounts and prefer to handle everything by phone and mail. They're used to this request and will note it in your file so future agents know your preference. The whole "non-direct debit" setup means you'll get payment coupons in the mail, but honestly Direct Pay is way more convenient than mailing checks anyway.