Tax Debt Roadmap

IRS Tax Debt Calculators

Free calculators for IRS tax debt: settlement estimator, penalty and interest, installment agreements, wage garnishment, and collection statute expiration.

These five calculators answer the questions we get asked most. They use IRS-published formulas and tables wherever possible. None of them store your inputs. None of them require an email address.

A calculator estimate is not a substitute for a tax professional’s review of your transcript. But it’s a much better starting point than guessing — or trusting a sales call from a relief firm.

IRS Settlement Estimator

Estimate whether you might qualify for an Offer in Compromise and what the IRS would expect you to pay. Uses the official Reasonable Collection Potential formula.

IRS Penalty & Interest Calculator

Estimate failure-to-file penalty, failure-to-pay penalty, and interest accruing on your balance. Uses current IRS rates.

Installment Agreement Calculator

See your minimum monthly payment for an IRS payment plan, plus an estimate of total interest and penalties over the life of the agreement.

Wage Garnishment Calculator

How much of your paycheck the IRS can take. Uses Publication 1494 exemption tables — the same numbers your employer's payroll uses.

CSED Calculator

When does the IRS lose the legal right to collect from you? The Collection Statute Expiration Date is a 10-year clock — but it pauses for several events.

How to use these

  1. Run the CSED calculator first if you have an old balance. If you’re close to the 10-year mark, that changes everything.
  2. Run the Settlement Estimator to see if an Offer in Compromise is even realistic. Most people don’t qualify, and the calculator will tell you why.
  3. If OIC isn’t realistic, run the Installment Agreement calculator to see what a payment plan actually costs.
  4. Use the Penalty & Interest calculator to understand how fast the bill is growing if you do nothing.
  5. If you’ve received a wage levy threat, the Wage Garnishment calculator shows what the IRS is allowed to take.

A note on accuracy

These calculators are educational. The IRS uses your actual transcript, your actual filing status, your actual financial disclosure (Form 433), and significant case-officer discretion. The math here will get you in the right ballpark — usually within 10–15% of what an experienced tax pro would calculate.

If the answer matters financially, pull your IRS transcript (free at IRS.gov) and either run the numbers yourself with the transcript in hand, or have a tax professional do it.

IRS CSED Calculator (Collection Statute Expiration Date)

Calculate your IRS Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED). The 10-year limit on IRS collection — including tolling events that pause the clock.

IRS Installment Agreement Calculator

Calculate your IRS payment plan monthly payment, total interest, and total cost. Free calculator for streamlined and non-streamlined installment agreements.

IRS Penalty & Interest Calculator

Estimate your IRS failure-to-file penalty, failure-to-pay penalty, and interest. Free calculator using current IRS rates and rules.

IRS Settlement Estimator (Offer in Compromise Calculator)

Estimate your IRS Offer in Compromise settlement amount using the official Reasonable Collection Potential formula. Free, no email required.

IRS Wage Garnishment Calculator (Publication 1494)

Calculate how much of your paycheck the IRS can take with a wage levy. Uses IRS Publication 1494 exemption tables — the same numbers your employer uses.

How to Stop an IRS Wage Garnishment in 2026 (Real Steps, Not Hype)

An IRS wage garnishment can be stopped — usually within a single pay cycle if you act fast. Here are the five real ways to stop a wage levy, what your employer must do, and the moves that don't work.

Innocent Spouse Relief: The Complete 2026 Guide (And When You Actually Qualify)

Innocent Spouse Relief lets you escape joint IRS tax liability when your spouse (or ex) caused the problem. Three flavors of relief, real eligibility rules, deadlines, and how to file Form 8857 yourself.

The IRS Fresh Start Program: What It Actually Is in 2026 (And What It Isn't)

The IRS Fresh Start Initiative is real — but it's not a one-shot forgiveness program. Here's what's actually under the umbrella, who qualifies for what, and how to apply directly without paying a tax relief firm.

Anthem Tax Services Review (2026): Honest Pros, Cons, and Real Costs

Independent review of Anthem Tax Services — single-fee pricing, money-back guarantee, mixed customer feedback, and when you should choose them over Optima or Community Tax.

Best Tax Relief Companies of 2026: Independent Rankings

Independent, no-pay-to-play rankings of the best tax relief companies in 2026 — with the bad parts left in. Compare Optima, Anthem, Community Tax, Larson, and Tax Defense Network.

Community Tax Review (2026): Pros, Cons, and Real Pricing

Independent review of Community Tax — two-phase pricing, in-house bookkeeping, mixed customer feedback. How they compare to Optima and when they're the right choice.

IRS LT11 / Letter 1058: The Final Notice — Your 30-Day Window

An IRS LT11 (or Letter 1058) is the Final Notice of Intent to Levy. You have 30 days before the IRS can seize your wages or bank account. Here's exactly what to do.