IRS Letter Templates
IRS Installment Agreement Request Letter: Free Sample & Template (2026)
The short answer: an IRS installment agreement request letter asks the IRS to let you pay your tax debt in monthly payments instead of all at once. Use it when you owe a balance you can't pay in full. The letter below is ready to copy — fill in the brackets, propose a monthly amount and start date, and mail it certified.
📄 Tip: You can print or save this whole page as a PDF — press Ctrl + P (or Cmd + P on a Mac) and choose "Save as PDF." That gives you the sample letter and checklist to keep.
What this letter does and when to use it
An IRS installment agreement request letter is a written request for a monthly payment plan. You're telling the IRS: "I owe this, I can't pay it all today, but I can pay $X each month starting on this date." It's the same idea as an IRS installment agreement set up online — just on paper, in your own words.
Use a written request when any of these apply:
- You got a notice (like a CP14 balance-due bill) and want to respond directly to it.
- You want to propose specific terms — a set monthly amount and a start date.
- You need to attach documents, or your situation doesn't fit neatly into the online tool.
Two faster alternatives are worth knowing. Most people who owe under $50,000 can set up a plan in minutes with the IRS Online Payment Agreement tool, and Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, does the same job as this letter on a standard form. The letter is helpful when you want a paper trail and your own wording — and you can attach Form 9465 to it.
What to include in your installment agreement request letter
A clear, complete letter is easier for the IRS to act on. Use this checklist before you send:
- ✅ Your full name and current mailing address (match what's on your return).
- ✅ The last four digits of your Social Security Number — never the full number in the body of a mailed letter.
- ✅ The tax form and tax year(s) the balance is for (for example, Form 1040, tax year 2024).
- ✅ The notice number and date if you're responding to a notice (top right corner of the notice).
- ✅ The total amount you owe as shown on the notice or your account.
- ✅ Your proposed monthly payment amount.
- ✅ The day of the month you want the payment due and the start date.
- ✅ A daytime phone number where the IRS can reach you.
- ✅ Your signature and the date.
The sample installment agreement request letter
Copy the letter below and replace everything in [brackets] with your own information. Keep it short and factual — you don't need to explain your whole life story.
[Your Full Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Daytime Phone Number]
[Today's Date]
Internal Revenue Service
[Use the exact address printed on your IRS notice]
Re: Request for Installment Agreement
Taxpayer: [Your Full Name]
SSN: XXX-XX-[Last 4 digits only]
Tax Form: [e.g., Form 1040]
Tax Year(s): [e.g., 2024]
Notice Number: [e.g., CP14, dated [Notice Date], if applicable]
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to request a monthly installment agreement for the balance I owe for the tax year(s) listed above. According to the notice dated [Notice Date], my total balance due is approximately $[Total Balance]. I am unable to pay this amount in full at this time, but I am able to make regular monthly payments.
I propose to pay $[Proposed Monthly Amount] per month, beginning on [Start Date], with each payment due on the [Day] of every month thereafter, until the balance, including any penalties and interest, is paid in full. I understand that penalties and interest will continue to accrue until the balance is paid.
I would prefer to make payments by [direct debit from my bank account / check / IRS.gov online payment]. Please let me know what additional information or forms you need to set up this agreement. I have enclosed a completed Form 9465 to support this request. [Remove this sentence if you are not enclosing Form 9465.]
I am committed to staying current on all future tax filings and payments while this agreement is in place. You can reach me at [Daytime Phone Number] if you have any questions.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Sign here]
[Your Full Name]
[Date]
Note: This sample is a starting point, not legal or tax advice. Sending it does not guarantee approval — the IRS reviews each request based on your balance, filing history, and proposed terms.
How and where to send your letter
Where you send the letter matters as much as what's in it. Follow these steps:
- Use the address on your IRS notice. If you're responding to a notice, mail the letter to the address printed on that notice — that routes it to the right unit. If you have no notice, use the mailing address in the Form 9465 instructions for your state.
- Send it certified mail, return receipt requested. This gives you proof of the exact date the IRS received your letter — which protects you if a deadline is ever questioned.
- Keep a copy of everything. Save the signed letter, any enclosed Form 9465, and the certified-mail receipt together.
- Keep paying what you can while you wait. Even partial payments reduce interest and show good faith.
⏱ The deadline that applies: if your letter is a response to an IRS notice, mail it before the "pay by" date on that notice — usually about 21 days from the notice date. Acting before that date helps you avoid the next, more serious notice. Requesting a plan does not stop interest or the monthly late-payment penalty (0.5% of the unpaid tax per month) from accruing, but it does stop the collection sequence from escalating.
What monthly amount should you propose?
Propose the most you can realistically pay each month without missing payments. Higher payments mean the balance is gone faster and you pay less interest overall. A simple starting point: divide your total balance by 72 months. For example, a $30,000 balance divided by 72 is about $417 per month — that fits the IRS guideline of paying many balances within 72 months.
For balances under $50,000, "streamlined" installment agreements can usually be approved without detailed financial disclosure. If you owe more, or you can't meet the 72-month math, the IRS may ask for financial information first. An IRS hardship letter (currently not collectible) is a different option if paying anything would create real hardship.
Not sure what to put in the letter?
Send us a photo of your notice. An experienced tax professional will review your balance and help you choose the right plan and a monthly amount that fits your budget — free, confidential, no pressure. Learn more about our IRS payment plan help.
When to get help instead of going it alone
You can absolutely set up a basic payment plan yourself. But it's worth talking to an experienced tax professional first if you owe more than $50,000, have unfiled returns, already missed a notice deadline, or aren't sure whether a payment plan is even your best option. The order you fix things in — returns first, then penalties, then the balance — can change what you end up paying. And be wary of anyone promising to "settle for pennies on the dollar" before they've looked at your finances; that's a sales pitch, not a plan.
Installment agreement letter questions, answered
Do I have to write a letter, or can I just use Form 9465?
You can do either. Many people set up a plan fastest through the IRS Online Payment Agreement tool or by filing Form 9465. A written request letter is useful when you're responding directly to a notice, proposing specific terms, or attaching supporting documents. The letter and the form ask for the same core facts.
What monthly payment amount should I propose in the letter?
Propose the largest amount you can realistically pay every month without falling behind, because higher payments mean less interest over time. A common starting point is your total balance divided by 72 months. The IRS may accept your figure, ask for more, or request financial details — approval depends on your specific situation.
Where do I mail my installment agreement request letter?
Send it to the address printed on the IRS notice you received. If you have no notice, mail it to the address listed in the Form 9465 instructions for your state. Use certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of the date the IRS received it, and keep a copy of everything.
Does sending this letter guarantee my payment plan is approved?
No. The letter requests a plan; it does not guarantee one. Approval depends on your balance, your filing history, and whether your proposed terms fit IRS guidelines. Keep filing and paying current taxes while you wait, and respond quickly if the IRS asks for more information or a different monthly amount.
This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice for your specific situation. Eligibility for IRS programs depends on individual facts and circumstances; no outcome is guaranteed.