The IRS Fresh Start program allows qualifying taxpayers to settle federal tax debt for a fraction of what they owe. Learn how the OIC process works, who qualifies, and how Dream Financial Management can negotiate your settlement — nationwide since 1994.
An Offer in Compromise (OIC) is an IRS program that allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It is part of the IRS Fresh Start initiative and is designed for taxpayers who cannot pay their full tax liability without causing financial hardship.
The IRS accepts an OIC when the amount offered represents the most they can reasonably expect to collect within a reasonable period of time. If paying your full tax debt would leave you unable to meet basic living expenses, the IRS may accept a reduced settlement.
of OIC applications accepted annually
Average settlement on accepted OICs (vs. $16k avg debt)
Saved per dollar for average accepted OIC
Sources: IRS Data Book 2024, National Taxpayer Advocate Annual Report. Individual results vary.
Most common type. You agree you owe the tax, but cannot afford to pay the full amount. The IRS reviews your assets, income, and expenses to determine your "reasonable collection potential."
Best for: Taxpayers with limited income and assets.
You dispute whether you actually owe the tax. You must provide evidence the IRS made an error in assessing the tax.
Best for: Taxpayers who believe the IRS assessment was incorrect.
You can pay but doing so would be unfair or cause exceptional hardship. Rarely granted — requires extraordinary circumstances.
Best for: Taxpayers with serious illness, disability, or exceptional hardship.
The IRS evaluates five key factors when determining if you qualify for an Offer in Compromise. You must meet ALL general requirements AND pass the financial analysis.
All required federal tax returns must be filed before the IRS will consider an OIC. Missing returns = automatic rejection.
You must have received a tax bill from the IRS. The IRS won't consider an OIC for taxes that haven't been formally assessed.
You cannot apply for an OIC during an active bankruptcy proceeding. The automatic stay prevents IRS collection — and OIC negotiations.
Self-employed taxpayers must be current on estimated tax payments for the current year.
Your Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP) must be less than the full tax debt owed. This is the financial test.
The IRS generally does not process OIC applications while the taxpayer is under active audit for the tax periods in question.
Our team reviews your financial situation against IRS OIC guidelines — free of charge. Most eligibility checks take 15 minutes.
Check My OIC Eligibility — FreeThe Offer in Compromise process typically takes 6-12 months from application to resolution. Here is what to expect at each stage.
We review your income, assets, expenses, and total tax debt to calculate your Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP). This determines whether an OIC is viable and what settlement amount to offer. Most people skip this step and get rejected.
Form 656 is the actual offer. Form 433-A is the Collection Information Statement — a detailed disclosure of all assets, income, and expenses. Errors or omissions here are the #1 cause of rejection. The application fee ($205) and initial payment are submitted with the forms.
The IRS confirms your application is complete, verifies you filed all returns, and checks for bankruptcy. Incomplete applications are returned. Complete applications move to investigation.
An IRS Offer Examiner reviews every asset, income source, and expense. They may request additional documentation, adjust your RCP calculation, or propose a counter-offer. This is where professional representation makes the biggest difference — we negotiate directly with the examiner.
Accepted: You pay the agreed settlement amount. Rejected: You can appeal within 30 days using Form 13711 (Request for Appeal). Returned: Application was incomplete — can resubmit. Approximately 40% of properly prepared OICs are accepted.
You must file all tax returns and pay all taxes on time for 5 years after the OIC is accepted. Failure to comply means the IRS can reinstate the original debt — plus interest. This is critical and non-negotiable.
Once the IRS receives your OIC application, they generally stop all collection activity — including levies and wage garnishments — while your offer is under review. This is a powerful reason to file even if acceptance is uncertain.
The IRS calculates your settlement amount using your Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP) — the amount they believe they can collect from you through liquidation of assets and future income.
Net Realizable Equity in Assets + Future Monthly Disposable Income × 12 or 24 = Reasonable Collection Potential
IRS values your assets at "quick sale value" (typically 80% of fair market value), minus any loans secured by the asset. This includes real estate, vehicles, investments, retirement accounts, and business assets.
Monthly income minus IRS-allowed living expenses. The difference (disposable income) is multiplied by the number of months remaining on the collection statute.
Pay 20% of the offer amount with the application. Remaining 80% paid in 5 or fewer installments after acceptance.
RCP = Asset equity + (Disposable income × 12)
Pay the first installment with the application. Remaining balance paid in monthly installments over 6-24 months.
RCP = Asset equity + (Disposable income × 24)
Calculating your RCP requires detailed knowledge of IRS collection standards, allowable expenses, and asset valuation rules. Our team has prepared hundreds of OIC financial analyses.
Get My RCP Calculation — FreeMissing or inaccurate information on the Collection Information Statement. Every asset, income source, and expense must be documented. Blank fields or estimates without documentation cause returns.
ALL required returns must be filed before submitting an OIC. Missing even one year's return = automatic return of your application.
Claiming expenses above IRS Collection Financial Standards without justification. The IRS uses published allowable expense amounts — exceeding them requires documented proof of necessity.
Intentionally or accidentally undervaluing assets. The IRS cross-references property records, vehicle valuations, and financial account data. Undervaluation triggers a fraud referral.
If the IRS calculates your Reasonable Collection Potential exceeds your total tax debt, the OIC will be rejected. This means the IRS believes you can full-pay over time.
Professional OIC preparation increases acceptance rates dramatically. We handle the financial analysis, form preparation, and IRS negotiation on your behalf.
Get Professional OIC Help| Option | What It Does | Best For | Approval Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offer in Compromise | Settles tax debt for less than full amount | Cannot full-pay; limited assets | ~40% |
| Installment Agreement | Monthly payment plan over time | Can pay but needs time | ~85% |
| Currently Not Collectible | IRS temporarily halts collection | Cannot pay; no disposable income | Case-by-case |
| Penalty Abatement | Removes penalties (not tax) | Reasonable cause for late filing/payment | ~60% FTA |
| Bankruptcy | Discharges certain tax debts | Older tax debts meeting criteria | Case-specific |
Not sure which option is right for your situation? The wrong choice can cost thousands. We evaluate all options in your free consultation.
Dream Financial Management has helped thousands of taxpayers resolve IRS debt since 1994. Our team handles every step — from pre-qualification to final IRS negotiation — so you don't have to face the IRS alone.
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Disclaimer: Dream Financial Management provides tax resolution consulting and referral services. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances. IRS acceptance of an Offer in Compromise is not guaranteed. For legal advice regarding IRS matters, consult a licensed tax attorney. Information on this page is current as of August 2026.