---
title: Short Term vs Long Term IRS Payment Plan | TaxTruce
url: https://taxtruce.com/answers/short-term-vs-long-term-payment-plan
updated: 2026-10-29
---

# Short term vs long term IRS payment plan?

Updated October 8, 20261 sourceTaxTruce team[Fact checked](/editorial-standards)

The short answer

A short plan gives you up to 180 days with no setup fee. A long plan is monthly payments with a setup fee of $29 to $178. Both keep adding interest and penalties. Short plans online need a balance under $100,000. Long plans online need $50,000 or less.

## Sources

1. [IRS: Payment plans and installment agreements](https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agreements)

Run the numbers with our [free tax tools](/tools), like the penalty and payment plan math.