IRS adds functions to online payment application

WASHINGTON (6/9/08)—The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Friday introduced several new features to its interactive Online Payment Agreement application intended to make it easier for taxpayers, or their authorized representatives, to make changes to existing installment agreements.

According to an IRS release, the system will now permit individuals to revise:

• Their payment due dates and/or amounts on existing agreements;
• Existing extensions to regular installment agreements and direct debit installment agreements; and
• Existing regular installment agreements to a payroll deduction installment agreement or a direct debit installment agreement.

Also, the system now permits practitioners with valid authorizations to use the signature date found on their approved Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, or the caller ID as an alternate way to authenticate when requesting agreements for clients.

According to the IRS, more than 75% of those eligible for an installment agreement can establish one using the online application, Since its launch in October 2006, more than 30,000 taxpayers have successfully used it to set up a payment agreement.

Those eligible include taxpayers who owe $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties and interest. They may self-qualify, apply and receive immediate notification of approval for installment agreements – including pre-assessed agreements on tax year 2007 Form 1040 liabilities and paperless direct debit agreements, the IRS release said.

courtesy of cuna.org