IRS Publication 17 — Your Federal Income Tax (Individuals)

Interest due to IRS error or delay. All or part of any interest you were charged can be forgiven if the interest is due to an unreasonable error or delay by an officer or employee of the IRS in performing a ministerial or managerial act.

A ministerial act is a procedural or mechanical act that occurs during the processing of your case. A managerial act includes personnel transfers and extended personnel training. A decision concerning the proper application of federal tax law isn’t a ministerial or managerial act.

The interest can be forgiven only if you aren’t responsible in any important way for the error or delay and the IRS has notified you in writing of the deficiency or payment. For more information, see Pub. 556.

Interest and certain penalties may also be suspended for a limited period if you filed your return by the due date (including extensions) and the IRS doesn’t provide you with a notice specifically stating your liability and the basis for it before the close of the 36-month period beginning on the later of:

• The date the return is filed, or

• The due date of the return without regard to extensions.

For more information, see Pub. 556.

Installment Agreement If you can’t pay the full amount due with your return, you can ask to make monthly installment payments for the full or a partial amount. However, you will be charged interest and may be charged a late payment penalty on the tax not paid by the date your return is due, even if your request to pay in installments is granted. If your request is granted, you must also pay a fee. To limit the interest and penalty charges, pay as much of the tax as possible with your return. But before requesting an installment agreement, you should consider other less costly alternatives, such as a bank loan or credit card payment. To apply for an installment agreement online, go to IRS.gov/OPA. You can also use Form 9465.

In addition to paying by check or money order, you can use a credit or debit card or direct payment from your bank account to make installment agreement payments. See How To Pay, earlier.

TIP Gift To Reduce Debt Held by the Public You can make a contribution (gift) to reduce debt held by the public. If you wish to do so, go to Pay.gov and make a contribution by credit card, debit card, PayPal, checking account, or savings account.

Don’t add this gift to any tax you owe.

For information on making this type of gift online, go to T reasururyDirect.gov/Help-Center/ Public-Debt-FAQs/#DebtFinance and see the information under “How do you make a contribution to reduce the debt?” You may be able to deduct this gift as a charitable contribution on next year’s tax return if you itemize your deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040).

Name and Address Fill in your name and address in the appropriate area of Form 1040 or 1040 -SR. If you are married filing a separate return, enter your spouse’s name in the entry space below the filing status checkboxes instead of below your name. If you are currently incarcerated, enter your inmate identifying number near your last name.