All Taxpayers Do Not Qualify for an Offer in Compromise
Absent special circumstances, if you have the ability to fully pay your tax liability in a lump sum or via an installment agreement, an offer in compromise will not be accepted.
Offer in Compromise Payments are Non-refundable
The IRS considers the 20 percent payment for a lump sum offer and any periodic payments as “payments on tax” and are not refundable, regardless of whether the offer is declared not-processable or is later returned, withdrawn, rejected or terminated by the IRS.
Federal Tax Liens are Not Released
If there is a Notice of Federal Tax Lien on record prior to acceptance of the offer, the lien is not released until the OIC terms are satisfied or until the liability is paid, whichever comes first. A Notice of Federal Tax Lien may be filed during the course of the OIC investigation.
Payments May be Designated
You may designate in writing how the IRS should apply payments made with the filing of the offer and while an offer is under investigation. Without a written designation, payments will be applied to the tax liability and in the government’s best interest. The $150 application fee cannot be designated, but is applied to the tax liability and in the government’s best interest.
Refunds
The IRS will keep any refund, including interest due, because of an overpayment of any tax or other liability, for tax periods extending through the calendar year the IRS accepts the OIC.
Exception: Offers submitted under the basis of doubt as to liability.
Levies
The IRS will keep all payments and credits made, received or applied to the total original tax liability before the OIC was submitted. The IRS may also keep any proceeds from a levy that was served prior to the submission of an OIC, but which were not received at the time the OIC was submitted.
Statutory Period for Collection Suspended
The statutory period for collection is suspended during the period that the OIC is under consideration (pending) and is further suspended if the OIC is rejected by the IRS and you appeal the rejection.
