Important Disclosures

Please read these disclosures carefully to understand what FreshRelief provides and how our service works.

What FreshRelief Provides

FreshRelief is a subscription-based guidance platform designed to help taxpayers understand and navigate IRS relief programs. For a monthly fee, subscribers gain access to our program analysis tools, which evaluate your financial situation and recommend the most appropriate relief options based on IRS guidelines.

Our service includes step-by-step guidance through the application process, explanations of required IRS forms, and educational resources about each relief program. We help you understand what information the IRS needs, how to present your financial situation effectively, and what to expect throughout the process.

FreshRelief is an independent company and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Internal Revenue Service or any government agency. All IRS relief programs are available directly from the IRS at no cost—our service provides guidance to help you navigate these programs more effectively.

Educational Guidance Only

FreshRelief provides educational guidance and program recommendations. Our team members are not attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), or enrolled agents unless specifically identified as such. The information provided through our platform is for educational and informational purposes.

Our guidance should not be considered legal advice, tax advice, or financial advice. We do not represent taxpayers before the IRS, negotiate on your behalf, or communicate with the IRS regarding your account. You remain responsible for all communications with the IRS and all decisions regarding your tax situation.

If your situation requires professional representation, legal advice, or complex tax planning, we recommend consulting with a qualified attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent licensed in your jurisdiction. For taxpayers facing active collection actions such as levies or wage garnishments, professional representation may provide benefits our guidance service cannot.

How IRS Relief Programs Work

The IRS offers several programs to help taxpayers resolve their tax debt based on their individual financial circumstances. While we help you understand which programs you may qualify for and guide you through the application process, all program decisions are made solely by the IRS.

Approval for any IRS relief program depends on factors including your income, expenses, assets, tax compliance history, and the IRS's evaluation of your specific situation. We cannot guarantee approval of any program, and past approval rates or general statistics do not predict the outcome of your individual application.

Understanding Each Program

Installment Agreement

An Installment Agreement allows you to pay your tax debt over time through monthly payments, typically over 72 months or until the collection statute expires. This program is often the most accessible option for taxpayers who owe money but cannot pay in full.

While in an Installment Agreement, your full tax debt remains due and interest continues to accrue on the unpaid balance. The IRS charges a setup fee (reduced for direct debit agreements) and may file a federal tax lien if your balance exceeds $10,000. Any future tax refunds will be applied to your balance. If you default on payments, the IRS may terminate the agreement and resume collection activities.

Offer in Compromise

An Offer in Compromise allows qualifying taxpayers to settle their tax debt for less than the full amount owed. The IRS evaluates your ability to pay based on your income, expenses, assets, and future earning potential to determine an acceptable offer amount.

The IRS accepts Offers in Compromise only when the offered amount represents the most they can expect to collect within a reasonable time. A non-refundable $205 application fee and initial payment are required with your submission (low-income taxpayers may qualify for fee waivers). The IRS rejects the majority of OIC applications, and the evaluation process typically takes 6-12 months. During this time, the 10-year collection statute is suspended.

Currently Not Collectible Status

Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status is a temporary suspension of IRS collection activities for taxpayers experiencing financial hardship. When placed in CNC status, the IRS will not pursue levies, wage garnishments, or other forced collection actions as long as you remain in compliance with filing requirements.

CNC status does not reduce, eliminate, or forgive your tax debt—the full amount remains due and interest continues to accrue. The IRS will apply any future tax refunds to your outstanding balance while you are in CNC status. The IRS periodically reviews CNC accounts (typically every 1-2 years) and may resume collection if your financial situation improves. Any existing federal tax liens remain in place.

Penalty Abatement

Penalty abatement allows taxpayers to request removal or reduction of certain IRS penalties. The IRS may grant abatement for first-time penalties (if you have a clean compliance history), reasonable cause (circumstances beyond your control), or statutory exceptions.

Penalty abatement applies only to penalties—your underlying tax debt and accrued interest remain due in full. Approval depends on your specific circumstances and compliance history, and the IRS has discretion in evaluating abatement requests.

Collection Due Process Hearing

A Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing is your right to appeal certain IRS collection actions and explore alternative resolution options. You may request a CDP hearing after receiving a Notice of Intent to Levy or Notice of Federal Tax Lien.

You must submit your CDP request within 30 days of the date on your notice to preserve your full appeal rights. During the CDP process, the IRS generally cannot proceed with the collection action under review. Missing the 30-day deadline significantly limits your appeal options.

Lien Withdrawal and Subordination

A federal tax lien is the IRS's legal claim against your property to secure payment of your tax debt. The IRS may agree to withdraw the public Notice of Federal Tax Lien or subordinate its lien position under certain circumstances.

Lien withdrawal removes the public notice but does not eliminate your tax debt or the underlying lien. Lien subordination allows another creditor (such as a mortgage lender) to move ahead of the IRS lien, which may enable you to refinance property—but only to reduce payments, not to access equity. Neither action reduces or forgives your tax debt.

Interest and Penalties

Interest accrues on unpaid tax debt from the due date of the return until the balance is paid in full. The IRS interest rate is set quarterly and compounds daily. Penalties may also apply for failure to file, failure to pay, and accuracy-related issues.

With the exception of approved Offers in Compromise, interest and penalties continue to accrue while you are in any IRS program, including Installment Agreements and Currently Not Collectible status. This means your total balance may increase over time even while you are making payments or in hardship status.

Collection Statute Expiration

The IRS generally has 10 years from the date of assessment to collect unpaid tax debt. This period is known as the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED). When the CSED passes, the IRS can no longer legally collect the debt.

Certain actions can pause or extend the collection statute, including submitting an Offer in Compromise, filing for bankruptcy, being outside the United States for extended periods, or requesting a Collection Due Process hearing. Understanding how different resolution options affect your CSED is an important consideration in choosing the right approach for your situation.

Tax Refund Offset

While you have an outstanding tax debt, the IRS will intercept and apply your federal (and potentially state) tax refunds to your balance. This applies regardless of which resolution program you are in, including Currently Not Collectible status. For some taxpayers, this offset may be significant. You may consider adjusting your tax withholding to reduce refunds and keep more money in your paycheck throughout the year.

Subscription Service

FreshRelief operates as a monthly subscription service. Your subscription provides continuous access to our guidance platform, program analysis tools, form assistance, and educational resources for as long as your subscription remains active.

Subscriptions renew automatically each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time through your account settings, and you will retain access through the end of your current billing period. Our subscription fee covers access to our guidance tools and does not guarantee any specific outcome with the IRS.

For complete terms regarding billing, cancellation, refunds, and service limitations, please review our Terms of Service.

Questions About Our Service

We believe in transparency and want you to understand exactly what FreshRelief provides before you subscribe. If you have questions about our service, these disclosures, or whether our guidance platform is right for your situation, please contact us. We're happy to help you determine if FreshRelief is a good fit for your needs.