Tax Hardship Guide
If you owe the IRS more than you can pay, the internet is full of ads promising to wipe out your debt for "pennies on the dollar." Most of it is hype. This site is the plain-English alternative: honest, IRS.gov-sourced explanations of the options that actually exist, who each one really fits, and what the ads leave out. No fabricated experts, no guarantees — just what the IRS itself says, translated into normal language.
Not sure where to start? The how to settle tax debt guide maps your situation to the right option in a few questions.
Start with your situation
How to Settle Tax Debt
Which IRS option fits whom — the honest routing guide. Start here.
Read the guide →Currently Not Collectible
The hardship pause: what it does, and why interest still accrues.
Read the guide →Offer in Compromise
Settling for less than you owe — how it really works, and who qualifies.
Read the guide →IRS Fresh Start Program
Why it's an umbrella term, not a single application you can file.
Read the guide →Tax-Relief Companies Compared
How the firms work, what to look for, and the red flags to avoid.
Read the guide →Wage Garnishment, Levies & Liens
Already got a notice? What it means, and the deadlines that actually matter.
Read the guide →What this site is (and isn't)
Every guide here is written in plain English and sourced to IRS.gov — if the IRS doesn't say it, we don't claim it. We explain the options; we don't sell a program. Some pages include affiliate links to tax-relief firms, clearly disclosed, but those links never change how we explain the options or which one we'd point you toward. This is general information, not tax advice: for your specific situation, talk to a licensed CPA, Enrolled Agent, or tax attorney.
The honest starting point
Two things are true for almost everyone who owes the IRS. First, you have to file all your required returns before most relief options are available. Second, you can pursue every one of these options yourself, directly with the IRS, for free or a small fee — hiring help is optional and mainly worth it for complex cases. Start with the guide that matches your situation above, and go in with clear eyes.