How Long Should a Tax Relief Case Take?
Reviewed June 1, 2025
Timelines vary widely by resolution type: a straightforward installment agreement can be set up in weeks, while an Offer in Compromise can take six months to a year or more. If your case is well beyond the typical range for its type, that's worth investigating.
Typical timelines by resolution type
A standard installment agreement can often be set up within a few weeks. Currently Not Collectible status typically takes a few weeks to a couple of months to establish. An Offer in Compromise commonly takes six months to a year or longer, since the IRS reviews the full financial picture. Penalty abatement requests can resolve in weeks to a few months depending on the type.
When a delay is worth investigating
If your case has been open significantly longer than the typical range for its resolution type, and your account data doesn't show any recent movement, that combination is worth raising directly with whoever is handling your case, or checking independently through your own account.
IRS-side delays are common and not always a sign of a problem
IRS processing backlogs, staffing levels, and case complexity all affect timelines in ways that have nothing to do with how well your case is being handled. A long timeline alone isn't evidence that something has gone wrong.
See it for yourself, on an ongoing basis
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