The Fresh Start program is also known as the IRS Fresh Start Program and is a 2011 initiative that was expanded over time and is designed to help people and small businesses that are struggling with tax debt.
The IRS Fresh Start program is a collection of, rather than a single program, which providers people and small businesses with easier access to installment agreements, offers in compromise like settling for less and penalty relief.
The IRS Fresh Start program also helps people and small businesses avoid tax liens and streamlines the IRS repayments.
When you use the IRS Fresh Start program, it expands your ability to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount that you owe to the IRS>
The Fresh Start program also provides you with more flexible, longer term payment plans and often allows for streamlined, online payment agreements for IRS debts that are under $50,000.00.
The IRS Fresh Start program also raised the threshold for filing a Noticed of Federal Tax Lien, making it easier for you to avoid tax liens.
And the Fresh Start program also offers you options to reduce or remove any penalties for you as a taxpayer as long as you comply with tax filing and the payment requirements.
The IRS Fresh Start program generally requires that you file all required tax returns, and you owe less than $50,000.00 in taxes, "usually" and you must also demonstrate you have financial hardship.
There's also another separate Fresh Start program which is called the Federal Student Loan Fresh Start.
The Federal Student Loan Fresh Start is a separate and temporary initiative by the United States Department of Education, which ended on October 2nd, 2024 and was designed to help borrows that were in default of federal student loans get back in good standing.