When you request an installment agreement (IA) through the Online Payment Arrangement (OPA) page, you will receive an immediate response notifying you whether your request is approved, or you don’t qualify through OPA. If you don't qualify for an IA through OPA, you may also request an IA by submitting Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, with the IRS. When you request an IA using the form, generally, you’ll receive a response from the IRS within 30 days notifying you of whether the IA request was approved or rejected. An assigned IRS employee may also contact you and request financial records to verify the amount you've requested to pay. If the IRS approves your IA, a setup fee may apply depending on your income. Refer to Tax Topic No. 202 - Tax Payment Options. If you request an IA, the time the request is pending pushes out, or suspends the running of, the initial ten-year collection period. An IA request is often pending until it can be reviewed, and an IA is established, or the request is withdrawn or rejected. If the requested IA is rejected, the running of the collection period is suspended for 30 days. Similarly, if you default on your IA payments and the IRS proposes to terminate the IA, the running of the collection period is suspended for 30 days. Last, if you exercise your right to appeal either an IA rejection or termination, the running of collection period is suspended by the time the appeal is pending to the date the appealed decision becomes final. Refer to Statutes of Limitations for Assessing, Collecting and Refunding Tax. Return to What If?
