Written and reviewed by Quick Tax and Credit. Published 2026-10-07. Educational only. Results vary.
Many people who owe the IRS can apply for a payment plan themselves online at IRS.gov without hiring anyone. An Offer in Compromise, which settles for less than you owe, is only for taxpayers who qualify, and the IRS offers a free pre-qualifier tool. The IRS and FTC warn about companies that promise to erase tax debt for large upfront fees. The Taxpayer Advocate Service offers free help.
Yes, many people can apply online through IRS.gov or the Online Payment Agreement application without hiring a company. The IRS charges a setup fee for some installment agreements, so do not treat a payment plan as free. Check the current fee on IRS.gov before you apply. A payment plan spreads what you owe. It is not the same as settling for less.
An Offer in Compromise lets some taxpayers settle for less than the full balance, and only people who meet IRS rules qualify. Use the IRS Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier before you assume you qualify. Submitting an offer does not mean the IRS will accept it. Quick Tax and Credit prepares tax returns. We do not negotiate an offer in compromise, and we do not represent you before the IRS.
The IRS and the FTC warn about companies that promise to wipe out tax debt, often after a large fee paid up front. No company should guarantee that the IRS will cancel what you owe. Read the IRS newsroom warning and the FTC tax-relief article before you pay anyone to “erase” a balance.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service helps people who are having problems with the IRS. Low Income Taxpayer Clinics may help taxpayers who qualify for that program. Those options are separate from a paid tax-preparation office. “Free” on this page refers to those programs and to the IRS pre-qualifier tool, not to an IRS installment agreement, which can include a setup fee.
Lenders often ask for filed tax returns or IRS transcripts. Unfiled returns, a balance you still owe, or a federal tax lien can complicate an application. Filing an accurate return and reading your notices are practical first steps. No one can guarantee that a lender will approve a loan. This page does not offer lending or business funding.
Quick Tax and Credit, 939 W Jefferson Blvd, Suite 109, Dallas, TX 75208. (214) 647-1669. This article is general education, not a promise of any score change, deletion, refund, or IRS result.
