Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about IRS tax relief programs and how ReliefPlan can help.
About Relief Programs
What's the difference between a tax lien and a tax levy?
A lien is a legal claim against your property that secures the government's interest in your tax debt - it doesn't take your property, but it does make it hard to sell or borrow against. A levy is the actual seizure of your property (wages, bank accounts, assets) to satisfy the debt.
Can I negotiate with the IRS myself, or do I need a professional?
You can absolutely negotiate with the IRS yourself. ReliefPlan provides all the tools, forms, and guidance you need for DIY resolution. However, complex cases (high debt, business taxes, criminal exposure) may benefit from professional representation.
How long does it take to get approved for a relief program?
Timeline varies by program:
Installment Agreement: 30-60 days
Offer in Compromise: 6-12 months
Currently Not Collectible: 30-90 days
Will I owe taxes on forgiven debt?
No. Tax debt forgiven through IRS programs (OIC, statute expiration, etc.) is not taxable income. This is different from forgiven credit card or personal loan debt.
Can I apply for multiple relief programs at once?
Not typically. The IRS evaluates programs in a specific order. However, if one program is denied, you can often apply for another. Some people combine programs sequentially (e.g., start with IA, then apply for OIC if circumstances change).
What happens if the IRS rejects my Offer in Compromise?
You have the right to appeal the rejection within 30 days. If the appeal is denied, you can request an Installment Agreement or Currently Not Collectible status instead.
About ReliefPlan
What's included in the Essential subscription?
Essential ($29/month) includes: personalized program recommendations, access to all IRS forms and guides, step-by-step application assistance, emergency tools (CDP hearing, levy release), and document preparation support.
What's the difference between Essential and Automated tiers?
Essential: You download and manually fill out PDF forms.
Automated: AI-powered form completion automatically fills PDFs based on your profile data.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. ReliefPlan subscriptions are month-to-month with no long-term commitment. Cancel anytime from your account settings.
Do you communicate directly with the IRS on my behalf?
No. ReliefPlan provides tools and guidance for you to handle your case directly with the IRS. We do not represent you or communicate with the IRS. If you need professional representation, we can refer you to licensed tax professionals.
Is my financial information secure?
Yes. We use bank-level encryption (AES-256) and never sell your data. Your financial information is stored securely and only used to generate personalized recommendations and fill out forms.
Technical Questions
Can I use ReliefPlan for business tax debt?
Currently, ReliefPlan is optimized for individual (personal) tax debt. Business tax debt requires different forms (Form 433-B instead of 433-A) and has different qualification criteria. We're working on business tax support for a future release.
What if I have both federal and state tax debt?
ReliefPlan currently focuses on federal (IRS) tax debt. State tax agencies have their own relief programs and processes. You'll need to contact your state's department of revenue separately.
Can I use ReliefPlan if I'm already in collections?
Yes! In fact, many of our tools are designed for active collection situations (CDP hearings, levy releases, lien withdrawals). The sooner you take action, the more options you have.
Still Have Questions?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our support team or explore our comprehensive documentation.