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Official form guide
Form 433B: Collection Information Statement for Businesses
IRS Form 433B is a Collection Information Statement for Businesses used by the IRS to assess a business's ability to pay a tax debt. It must be filed by businesses that owe taxes and cannot pay in full, providing financial details like assets, income, and expenses. The form collects information from the current month and the past three months.
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IRS Form 433B - Collection Information Statement for Businesses
IRS Form 433B is a Collection Information Statement for Businesses used by the IRS to assess a business's ability to pay a tax debt. It must be filed by businesses that owe taxes and cannot pay in full, providing financial details like assets, income, and expenses. The form collects information from the current month and the past three months.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Failing to disclose all bank accounts, even with $0 balance, is a common error.
- 2Not listing all bank accounts, including those with zero balances.
- 3Forgetting to include the value of accounts receivable or inventory.
- 4Using estimated income instead of exact figures from recent records.
- 5Omitting signatures or dates on the signature line.
Plain English
IRS Form 433B is a form your business fills out to show the IRS your financial situation, like what you own and what you earn. You use it when you owe taxes and can't pay all at once, so the IRS can decide if you qualify for a payment plan or other help. It helps the IRS understand your ability to pay.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2019-02-19 22:00:27
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when your business owes a tax debt to the IRS and cannot pay it in full, as part of the Collection Information Statement for Businesses process.
- Do not use it when the tax debt is disputed or under examination, as this form is for collection purposes only after the liability is assessed.
- Check Form 433-A (for individuals) or Form 433-F (for streamlined requests) instead when the business is a sole proprietorship or the debt is under a certain threshold.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Situation
Why it matters
✓ Check before you continue
Business is a sole proprietorship
The IRS uses a shorter financial statement for individuals not incorporated. Filing the wrong form may delay the collection process.
✓ Confirm your business structure is a sole proprietorship, not a corporation or partnership.
Business wants to propose an installment agreement
This form provides the IRS the financial data needed to determine a monthly payment amount. Incomplete data leads to rejection.
✓ Ensure all income and expense figures are supported by bank statements or ledgers.
Business has multiple tax periods owed
The IRS uses one comprehensive financial snapshot to assess ability to pay all balances. Gaps in reporting can trigger a full financial investigation.
✓ List each tax period and the corresponding balance due on the attached schedule.
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source. The filing window is generally set by the IRS when they request the form, so follow the specific deadline provided in the IRS letter or communication.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Field or section
Document or info needed · Usually found in
Business name and EIN
IRS CP notice or prior tax return · Previous tax return or IRS correspondence
Assets section (cash, accounts receivable)
Bank statements and accounts receivable aging report · Bank portals and accounting software
Liabilities section (loans, credit cards)
Loan statements and credit card bills · Lender websites or monthly statements
Monthly income (gross receipts)
Profit-and-loss statement or bank deposit records · Accounting software or bank statements
Monthly expenses (rent, payroll)
Lease agreements and payroll summaries · Lease contracts and payroll service reports
Business real estate owned
Deed and recent appraisal or tax assessment · County assessor or title company
Signature and date
Authorized signatory (owner, officer, or attorney-in-fact) · Corporate or partnership documents
Before you submit
- 1Verify that the business name and Employer Identification Number on the form match the IRS notice or the most recent filed tax return.
- 2Confirm that all dollar amounts are entered in whole dollars (no cents) unless the form instructs otherwise.
- 3Check that monthly income figures cover the current month and the past three months, using actual bank statements or ledgers.
- 4Ensure the assets section lists all business bank accounts, including those with zero balances.
- 5Reconcile the total monthly expenses claimed against supporting records—do not include personal expenses.
- 6Attach any required schedules, such as a statement explaining any large asset or liability.
- 7Date and sign the form using blue or black ink if filing a paper copy.
- 8Make a photocopy or scan the completed form for your records before submitting.
- 9Mail the form to the IRS address on the notice you received, or follow the electronic submission instructions provided by the IRS.
How to file this form
- 1Gather financial documents for the current month and the past three months.
- 2Complete each section of Form 433B accurately with income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
- 3Review the form for completeness and consistency between sections.
- 4Obtain signature from an authorized individual (e.g., owner, partner, or corporate officer).
- 5Assemble all supporting documents that substantiate the entries made.
- 6Submit the form to the assigned IRS revenue officer or mail to the address provided in IRS correspondence.
- 7Retain a copy of the completed form and submission date for your records.
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 official source does not reference a specific revision date for IRS Form 433B. Check the IRS website for the latest edition before filing.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — not stated in the official source; verify on the IRS website for the current revision month and year.
- Fee — no fee to file Form 433B; it is submitted directly to the IRS without cost.
- Mailing address — not stated in the official source; the form is typically submitted to the assigned IRS revenue officer or included with other collection correspondence.
- Signature — an authorized representative of the business must sign and date the form under penalty of perjury.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain a signed copy of the form and all supporting documents for at least six years.
- 2If you mailed the form, send it via certified mail or a traceable delivery service.
- 3Allow 30 days for the IRS to acknowledge receipt; if you hear nothing after 45 days, call the IRS number on your notice.
- 4If you discover an error after filing, contact the IRS immediately and provide a corrected form with an explanation.
- 5Keep records of any payment plan or agreement that results from this submission.
- 6Monitor your IRS account transcript for updates to the balance or installment agreement status.
- 7Consider consulting a tax professional if the IRS demands additional documentation or proposes a different payment arrangement.
Sources
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site: revision date or edition.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site: specific filing deadline.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site: services that accept electronic submission.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site: where to mail the form if not directed.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site: fee or filing exemption details.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — verify on the agency site: alternate form usage beyond standard situations.
Common confusion points
Confusion
Why it happens
→ Safe check
Do I include personal assets on a business form?
The form asks for business assets, but sole proprietors often intermix personal and business property.
→ Read the instructions for each asset line—if the form says 'business assets only,' do not list personal items.
What if my business has zero income this month?
The filer may think they can leave the income section blank.
→ Enter $0 and write a note explaining the reason for no income (e.g., seasonal closure).
Do I have to list debts that are being disputed?
The filer might exclude disputed liabilities thinking they are not relevant.
→ List all debts, even disputed ones, and add a separate statement explaining the dispute.
Can I mail the form to any IRS address?
The form does not print a specific address, and filers may use outdated instructions.
→ Use the address provided on your IRS notice or call the IRS Business Tax Line (800-829-4933) to confirm.
What if I am a partnership? Who signs?
The form has a single signature line, but partnerships require a general partner.
→ The partnership agreement or state law dictates who is authorized; if in doubt, have all general partners sign.
How do I calculate 'current month'?
The filer may use the prior month's data if the current month is not yet complete.
→ Use the most recent full calendar month—if filing on the 15th, the previous month is the current month for this purpose.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 911 — taxpayer advocate service request for dispute resolution.
Questions about IRS Form 433B
What is IRS Form 433B used for?
IRS Form 433B is a form your business fills out to show the IRS your financial situation, like what you own and what you earn. You use it when you owe taxes and can't pay all at once, so the IRS can decide if you qualify for a payment plan or other help. It helps the IRS understand your ability to pay.
Who must file IRS Form 433B?
Any business that owes a tax debt to the IRS and cannot pay the full amount must file Form 433B. This form is typically requested by the IRS as part of collection activities.
What information does IRS Form 433B require?
Form 433B collects detailed financial information including business assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. It requires listing assets like cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and real estate, as well as monthly income and expense figures.
How do I complete IRS Form 433B?
Complete Form 433B by providing current business financial information, including bank statements and profit/loss data. Fill out each section fully, signing and dating the form where indicated. Attach all required supporting documents, like bank statements for the previous three months.
What happens if IRS Form 433B is filed incorrectly?
Failing to file Form 433B when requested by the IRS can lead to enforcement actions such as levies or liens on business assets, as the IRS may not consider alternative payment options without this information.
Confusion — what should I check?
Why it happens Safe check
Do I include personal assets on a business form?
The form asks for business assets, but sole proprietors often intermix personal and business property. Read the instructions for each asset line—if the form says 'business assets only,' do not list personal items.
What if my business has zero income this month?
The filer may think they can leave the income section blank. Enter $0 and write a note explaining the reason for no income (e.g., seasonal closure).
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