How Long Does It Take to Resolve Tax Problems?

The short answer is, it varies.

It depends on the type of issue and the complexity

If you owe taxes, you can set up a simple payment plan online in an hour. But if you have a multi-year IRS audit, you could be looking at dealing with that issue for over a year.

Click an issue below to find out how long you can expect each one to last — and to get tips on how to make the process efficient and successful:

IRS audit – Learn how long each type of audit lasts, and other factors that can extend the timeframe.

IRS penalty relief – Learn how long it takes to get the two most common types of penalty relief, and any appeal options you may need.

Removing a levy or wage garnishment – Get the facts about how quickly you can get the IRS to remove a wage garnishment.

Obtaining an IRS collection agreement – The time it takes depends on your situation, the type of agreement you need, and how you interact with the IRS.