Yes, you can ask the IRS for more time to pay, but you have to request it before the important date
The IRS allows you to postpone your tax payment through a process called a payment extension or extension of time to pay. This is different from a filing extension — you can get extra time to file your return without paying, or extra time to pay without filing late. If you owe taxes and cannot pay by the important date, you can request to delay the payment, but the IRS charges interest and penalties on the unpaid balance from the original due date forward.
The key thing to understand: asking for more time does not erase what you owe or stop the interest clock. It straightforward moves the payment date. You will still owe the original amount plus interest calculated daily, plus a failure-to-pay penalty that grows each month the balance sits unpaid. The sooner you pay, the less interest accumulates.
Key Takeaways
- You can request a payment extension through the IRS Online Payment Agreement tool, by phone at 1-800-829-1040, or by mailing Form 9465 if you want a formal installment plan.
- Interest and penalties continue to accrue on unpaid taxes from the original due date, so a payment extension delays the important date but not the cost of owing.
- The IRS charges a setup fee for installment plans (between $31 and $225 depending on the method) plus interest that compounds daily.
- If you cannot pay in full and need a plan, the IRS prefers you request it before the important date, though you can request it after if you have not yet received a notice.
The difference between a filing extension and a payment extension
A filing extension gives you until October 15 to submit your return instead of April 15 (or the applicable important date for your situation). A payment extension gives you until a later date to pay the taxes you already owe. You can have one without the other.
If you file your return on time but cannot pay, you do not need a filing extension — you only need a payment extension. If you cannot file your return by April 15, you can request a filing extension (usually automatic if you file Form 4868 on time), but that does not extend your payment important date. The IRS still expects payment by April 15 even if your return is not due until October 15. Most people who need more time need both, but they are separate requests.
How to request a payment extension through the IRS
The fastest route is the IRS Online Payment Agreement tool, which you can access through IRS.gov. You log in with your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, enter the tax year and amount owed, and select a payment date. The tool will show you the setup fee and monthly payment amount before you commit. If you set up the agreement online, the setup fee is $31 (as of the current year, though this can change). The agreement takes effect when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number.
If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours. A representative can discuss your situation and set up a payment plan over the phone. The phone setup fee is $225, which is why the online tool is usually the better choice if you can use it.
If you want to formalize an installment plan in writing, you can mail Form 9465 (Installment Agreement Request) to the IRS address listed in the form instructions. This route takes longer — usually two to four weeks — but creates a written record. The setup fee is $31 if you pay by electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit from your bank account) or $225 if you pay by check or money order.
What happens after you request a payment extension
Once the IRS accepts your request, you will receive a notice confirming the payment plan terms: the monthly amount, the due date each month, and the total interest and penalties you will pay. You are legally obligated to make each payment on time. If you miss a payment, the agreement can be cancelled and the full remaining balance becomes due when ready.
Interest continues to accrue on the unpaid balance every single day. The current interest rate is set by the IRS quarterly and is typically around 8 percent per year, but it changes. On top of interest, you will owe a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5 percent of the unpaid tax for each month (or part of a month) that the tax remains unpaid. These penalties stack — the longer you take to pay, the more you owe in total.
If your financial situation changes and you can pay sooner, you can pay off the plan early without penalty. Paying early reduces the total interest you will owe.
Short-term extensions versus long-term installment plans
The IRS offers two types of payment arrangements. A short-term extension gives you up to 180 days to pay in full with no setup fee. This is available if you owe less than $100,000 and can pay the full amount within six months. You request this through the Online Payment Agreement tool by selecting "short-term extension" instead of an installment plan.
A long-term installment plan breaks your balance into monthly payments over a longer period — typically up to six years, though the exact timeline depends on how much you owe. These require a setup fee and accrue more interest because you are paying over time. If you owe $50,000 or more, the IRS may require you to pay by electronic funds withdrawal, which costs $31 to set up instead of $225.
Choose a short-term extension if you can pay within six months. Choose an installment plan if you need longer. The sooner you pay, the less interest you will owe in total.
What to do if you cannot afford any payment plan
If you cannot afford even a monthly payment, you have other options. You can request Currently Not Collectible status, which temporarily pauses collection action while you face financial hardship. Interest and penalties still accrue, but the IRS stops sending notices and pursuing collection. This status lasts up to two years, after which the IRS reviews your situation again.
You can also request an Offer in Compromise, which is a settlement where you pay less than the full amount owed. The IRS only accepts these in specific situations — usually when there is genuine doubt about whether you can ever pay the full amount. This process takes months and requires detailed financial documentation, but it can reduce what you ultimately owe.
Both of these options require you to contact the IRS directly. You can start by calling 1-800-829-1040 and explaining your situation, or by visiting an IRS office in person. Bring documentation of your income, expenses, and assets so the IRS can assess your actual ability to pay.
What happens if you miss the original important date without requesting an extension
If you do not pay by the important date and do not request an extension beforehand, the failure-to-pay penalty starts when ready. The penalty is 0.5 percent per month, which means after two months you already owe an extra 1 percent on top of interest. After six months, the penalty alone is 3 percent.
You can still request a payment plan after the important date, but the penalties and interest already owed do not go away. The sooner you contact the IRS after missing the important date, the sooner you can stop the penalties from growing. If you have not yet received a formal notice from the IRS, you can still request a payment plan. Once the IRS sends you a notice of intent to levy (a formal warning that they will seize assets), the process becomes more urgent and your options narrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a payment extension if I already filed my return late?
Yes. A payment extension is separate from a filing extension. If you filed your return after the important date, you can still request a payment extension for the taxes you owe. The penalties for filing late and paying late are calculated separately, so requesting a payment extension now will not erase the filing penalty, but it will prevent additional penalties from accruing on the unpaid balance.
What if I cannot make the monthly payment the IRS offers?
Contact the IRS and explain your situation. You can request a lower monthly payment, though this extends the timeline and increases total interest. You can also request Currently Not Collectible status if you are facing genuine hardship. The IRS will not automatically lower your payment — you have to ask and provide documentation of your income and expenses.
Do I have to pay the setup fee even if I use the online tool?
Yes, the setup fee is part of the installment plan. The online tool charges $31. If you cannot afford the setup fee, you can request a fee waiver, though the IRS grants these only in cases of financial hardship. Ask about a waiver when you contact the IRS.
Will a payment extension affect my credit score?
A payment extension itself does not appear on your credit report. However, if the IRS files a tax lien (a legal claim against your property), that lien will appear on your credit report and damage your score. A lien typically happens only if you ignore the IRS for a long time. Requesting a payment plan and making payments on time prevents a lien from being filed.
Can I request a payment extension after April 15 if I did not file by then?
You can request a payment extension at any time, but if you have not filed your return, you should file first (or request a filing extension). The payment extension applies to taxes you owe, which the IRS determines from your return. If you have not filed, the IRS does not yet know what you owe, so a payment extension cannot be processed.