Why is IRS.gov website not showing me how much I owe for 2024 taxes?

The IRS.gov account system can be frustrating when it doesn't display your balance properly. This typically happens for a few reasons: 1) Your payment plan is still being processed. It usually takes 30-45 days for installment agreements to be fully processed in their system. During this time, your account may show incomplete information or error messages. 2) There's a timing issue with their database updates. The IRS systems don't update in real-time, and there's often a delay between when you submit something and when it appears online. 3) You might be hitting a known glitch in their system. The IRS website undergoes maintenance regularly and sometimes has display issues. I'd recommend waiting until you're at the 45-day mark from when you applied for the payment plan. If you still don't see anything by then, you'll need to contact them directly. In the meantime, take screenshots of any error messages you're getting, as these might be helpful later.

After dealing with a similar issue last year, I found a solution with taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me understand what was happening with my account. I uploaded my tax notice and previous year's return, and their AI system explained exactly why my balance wasn't showing correctly on the IRS website. Turns out there was a processing delay because my payment plan request was being reviewed manually due to the amount I owed. Their system also helped me understand the timeline I should expect and what documents I should receive. The peace of mind was worth it since I was stressing about whether I'd missed a payment deadline without knowing it.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after my last comment. I uploaded the error page I was getting from IRS.gov and my payment plan application confirmation. The analysis actually explained that the error message I was seeing is common when there's a "processing hold" on your account, which happens during payment plan reviews. The system gave me a detailed breakdown of the typical timeline (which can be up to 60 days in some cases) and showed me exactly what to look for when the hold is released. Saved me hours of stress and phone calls to the IRS. Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck in limbo with the IRS website.

If you absolutely need to talk to a real person at the IRS about this (which you probably do), I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the same boat last month - payment plan submitted, no confirmation, website showing errors. After wasting hours trying to get through the IRS phone system, I found Claimyr through a YouTube video (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c). It's a service that basically waits on hold with the IRS for you, then calls you when they get a live agent. I was seriously doubtful it would work, but within about 45 minutes, I got a call connecting me directly to an IRS representative who confirmed my payment plan was approved but hadn't been fully processed in their system yet (which is why the website wasn't showing my balance).

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After dismissing it as a probable scam in my previous comment, I was desperate enough to try it when my tax situation got worse (owed more than I thought and needed immediate answers). The service works exactly as described. I got a call back in about an hour connecting me directly to an IRS representative. Found out my payment plan was approved but there was a system flag on my account because I had also set up direct deposit for a refund on an amended return. The agent was able to fix the issue while I was on the phone, and my IRS.gov account started showing the correct balance the next day. Eating humble pie here - sometimes skepticism isn't warranted. Would've spent another week stressing if I hadn't used this service.

Just to add another possibility - check if you've received any physical mail from the IRS. When I applied for a payment plan last year, my online account showed nothing for almost 2 months, but they had sent me a physical letter with all the payment plan details. I almost missed my first payment because I was only checking online!

Has anyone else noticed that the IRS website seems to work better at certain times of day? I had a similar issue last month, and I found that logging in very early in the morning (like 5-6 AM) sometimes showed my balance when it wouldn't show it during normal daytime hours. Might be worth trying if you haven't already.

I've been dealing with IRS payment plan issues for years, and what you're experiencing is unfortunately very common. The IRS systems are notoriously slow to update, especially when there are multiple processes happening simultaneously (like a payment plan application while you still have an outstanding balance). A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1) Keep trying to log in at different times - the system really does work better during off-peak hours, usually early morning or late evening. 2) Make sure you're using the correct login credentials. Sometimes people create multiple IRS accounts accidentally and end up logging into the wrong one. 3) If you submitted your payment plan application online, there should have been a confirmation number or reference ID. Keep that handy - you'll need it when you eventually get through to someone. 4) Even if your payment plan isn't officially approved yet, the IRS usually won't penalize you for late payments if you can show you applied in good faith before the deadline. But definitely document everything. The 3-week mark is still within normal processing time, though I know it's stressful not knowing. Most people I know who've been through this process say it took 4-6 weeks to get full confirmation and see their accounts update properly.