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Official form guide
Form 433A: Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals
IRS Form 433A is the Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals used by individuals who owe a federal tax debt and need to propose a payment plan or offer in compromise. It collects financial details such as income, expenses, assets, and liabilities to determine ability to pay. The form requires disclosure of monthly household income and living expenses, with no specific threshold or deadline stated in the official source.
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IRS Form 433A - Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals
IRS Form 433A is the Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals used by individuals who owe a federal tax debt and need to propose a payment plan or offer in compromise. It collects financial details such as income, expenses, assets, and liabilities to determine ability to pay. The form requires disclosure of monthly household income and living expenses, with no specific threshold or deadline stated in the official source.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Omitting any income source or asset can void your payment agreement.
- 2Failing to list all bank accounts including savings and checking
- 3Understating monthly income by omitting side jobs or cash earnings
- 4Overstating expenses by including non-allowable items like entertainment
- 5Not including retirement accounts or investments in the asset section
Plain English
This form is a financial report you fill out for the IRS if you owe taxes you can't pay all at once. It asks about your job earnings, monthly bills, bank accounts, and property so the IRS can figure out a payment plan that works for you. You list your income and expenses in detail, and the IRS uses this to decide how much you can afford to pay each month.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2022-08-05 22:10:07
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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Glossary Terms
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you are an individual wage earner or self-employed person who owes a federal tax debt and needs to propose a payment plan or offer in compromise.
- Do not use it when you are a business entity; use Form 433-B instead.
- Check Form 433-B instead when filing as a business or if you are a sole proprietor with significant business assets.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You need to request an installment agreement for unpaid personal income taxes
Installment Agreement Request is the standard method to propose monthly payments
✓ Confirm your debt exceeds $10,000 and you can pay within 72 months
You want to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed
Offer in Compromise uses your financial data from Form 433-A to determine a reasonable settlement amount
✓ Verify you are not in an open bankruptcy proceeding
Your business owes payroll taxes and you need to propose a payment plan
Collection Information Statement for Businesses captures business income and expenses distinct from personal finances
✓ Ensure you have current payroll tax returns filed before submitting
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source. The IRS typically requests this form as part of a collection process, and the deadline is usually specified in the accompanying correspondence. No extension provision is mentioned.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Monthly income
Pay stubs, bank statements, or profit/loss statements · Payroll records or bank accounts
Monthly living expenses
Bills, receipts, or bank statements · Personal records or online banking
Assets (cash, investments)
Bank statements, investment account statements · Financial institutions
Liabilities (loans, credit cards)
Loan statements, credit card bills · Lenders or credit reports
Monthly housing costs
Rent or mortgage statements · Landlord or mortgage servicer
Vehicle information
Registration, loan payoff letter · DMV or lender
Before you submit
- 1Complete all sections of the form with accurate financial information.
- 2Attach all required supporting documents (pay stubs, bank statements, etc.).
- 3Sign and date the form in the signature section.
- 4Make a copy of the completed form and all attachments for your records.
- 5Verify the mailing address on the IRS website for the correct service center.
- 6Check the form revision date to ensure you are using the current version.
- 7Review the form for any missing fields or inconsistencies.
- 8If filing an offer in compromise, attach Form 656 as well.
How to file this form
- 1Download the current version of Form 433A from the IRS website.
- 2Complete all sections with your financial information, including income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
- 3Gather supporting documents such as pay stubs, bank statements, and bills.
- 4Sign and date the form in the designated area.
- 5Mail the completed form and supporting documents to the appropriate IRS address (check IRS.gov for current address).
- 6Retain a copy of the filed form and all attachments for your records.
Known limitations
- 1This form is for individuals only; businesses must use Form 433-B.
- 2It does not apply to tax debts that are not yet assessed or are under dispute.
- 3Not for use by estates or trusts; use Form 433-F instead.
- 4The form may not be accepted if the taxpayer is currently in bankruptcy proceedings.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current revision date is not stated in the official source. Check the IRS website for the latest edition of Form 433A.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision date on the form matches the current year; check IRS.gov for the latest version.
- Fee — no fee is required to file this form; it is part of the collection process.
- Mailing address — not stated in the official source; verify the current mailing address on IRS.gov.
- Signature — sign and date the form in the designated section; unsigned forms will be returned.
- Supporting documents — attach all required documentation as indicated on the form; incomplete submissions may delay processing.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain a copy of the filed form and all supporting documents for at least 3 years.
- 2Wait for an acknowledgment from the IRS; this may take several weeks.
- 3Respond promptly to any IRS requests for additional information or documentation.
- 4If you filed an offer in compromise, follow up with the IRS to check the status.
- 5Keep records of any correspondence with the IRS regarding your collection information statement.
- 6If your financial situation changes, update the IRS promptly by filing a revised Form 433A.
Sources
- SRCPurpose of form — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCFiling deadline — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCMailing address — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCRevision date — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCRequired supporting documents — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCAllowable expenses — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCSignature requirements — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
- SRCRelated forms — Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
Common confusion points
Do I need to include my spouse's income?
The form asks for household income, which may include spouse's income if you are married.
→ Review the instructions on the IRS website for the definition of household.
What counts as a monthly living expense?
The form has specific categories; some expenses may be disallowed.
→ Check the IRS guidelines for allowable living expenses.
Should I include retirement accounts as assets?
Yes, retirement accounts are assets but may have different treatment.
→ Report the current value; the IRS may consider them in ability to pay.
Can I file this form online?
The form is not e-filed; it must be mailed.
→ Check IRS.gov for any electronic submission options.
What if I cannot afford to pay anything?
The form still must be completed to show your financial situation.
→ Ensure all expenses are accurately documented; the IRS may offer a temporary delay.
How do I know which IRS address to use?
The address depends on your location and the type of debt.
→ Use the IRS address lookup tool on IRS.gov.
Is there a deadline for filing this form?
The IRS will request it as part of collection; there is no fixed deadline.
→ Respond by the date specified in the IRS correspondence.
What if I make a mistake on the form?
You may need to file a corrected form.
→ Contact the IRS for guidance on amending your submission.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 2848 - Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, to authorize a representative.
Questions about IRS Form 433A
What is IRS Form 433A used for?
This form is a financial report you fill out for the IRS if you owe taxes you can't pay all at once. It asks about your job earnings, monthly bills, bank accounts, and property so the IRS can figure out a payment plan that works for you. You list your income and expenses in detail, and the IRS uses this to decide how much you can afford to pay each month.
Who must file IRS Form 433A?
Individuals who are wage earners or self-employed and owe a federal tax debt that they cannot pay in full must file IRS Form 433A when requested by the IRS to provide a collection information statement.
What information does IRS Form 433A require?
The form collects financial information in sections including monthly income (wages, self-employment, benefits), monthly living expenses (housing, utilities, food, transportation), assets (bank accounts, vehicles, real estate), and liabilities (debts, loans, credit cards). It also requires listing dependents and any special circumstances affecting ability to pay.
How do I complete IRS Form 433A?
Start by completing the personal identification section with your name, address, and Social Security number. Then fill out the income section listing all sources of monthly income, followed by the expense section detailing living costs. List all assets and liabilities in the designated parts, and sign and date the form under penalty of perjury. Attach supporting documents such as pay stubs and bank statements as required.
What happens if IRS Form 433A is filed incorrectly?
Inaccurate or incomplete financial information on this form can lead to rejection of a payment plan or offer in compromise, and the IRS may proceed with enforced collection actions such as levies or liens. Penalties for providing false information may apply.
Do I need to include my spouse's income?
The form asks for household income, which may include spouse's income if you are married. Review the instructions on the IRS website for the definition of household.
What counts as a monthly living expense?
The form has specific categories; some expenses may be disallowed. Check the IRS guidelines for allowable living expenses.
Should I include retirement accounts as assets?
Yes, retirement accounts are assets but may have different treatment. Report the current value; the IRS may consider them in ability to pay.
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