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Form 433-F: what it is, how to fill it out, and where to send it

Form 433-F, Collection Information Statement, gives the IRS your current income, living expenses, assets and debts so it can decide how you can pay a tax balance, most often together with Form 9465 for an installment agreement. There is no general Form 433-F fax number: send it to the fax number or address on the IRS notice or letter that asked for it, or to the IRS employee handling your case.

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What Form 433-F is for

According to the form's own instructions (Rev. 7-2024), Form 433-F is used to obtain current financial information needed to decide how a wage earner or self-employed person can pay an outstanding tax balance. The IRS uses it to set a monthly payment you can afford, or to decide whether collection should be delayed.

  • Payment plan: if you request an installment agreement, the IRS asks you to send Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request, together with Form 433-F.
  • Online first: you may be able to set up an Online Payment Agreement on IRS.gov without filing Form 433-F at all.
  • Keep a copy: the IRS may contact you for proof of the income and expenses you report.

Which Form 433 do I need?

FormUsed forLength
Form 433-FStreamlined Installment Agreement (under $50K), simple cases2 pages
Form 433-AWage earners and self-employed individuals, full disclosure10 pages
Form 433-A (OIC)Offer in Compromise applications10 pages
Form 433-BBusinesses (corporations, partnerships, LLCs)6 pages
Form 433-B (OIC)Business Offer in Compromise6 pages

Finding the right fax number

Form 433 fax numbers are not universal. The correct number comes from one of these sources:

  • Your revenue officer's contact letter, Most direct. The RO's fax number is on every letter they send.
  • IRS collection notice (CP504, LT11, LT16, etc.), Some notices include a fax number for response.
  • The Automated Collection System (ACS) hotline, When dealing with ACS instead of a specific RO, ask for the fax number when you call 1-800-829-7650.

⚠️ Don't fax to a generic IRS number. Form 433 must reach the specific RO or ACS unit working your case. Faxing to the wrong number means your case is not updated and collection actions may continue.

Stop the collection clock

Upload Form 433-F, we fax to the RO number on your notice and confirm transmission. Proof of timely response.

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How to fill out Form 433-F, section by section

Form 433-F has eight sections. List everything the section asks for, even accounts with a zero balance, and write N/A where a question does not apply.

  • Section A, Accounts and lines of credit: all bank and investment accounts, including business accounts. Bank loans do not go here.
  • Section B, Real estate: every property you own or are buying, including your home, with current value and the amount owed.
  • Section C, Other assets: cars, boats and RVs (write “lease” for leased vehicles), whole life insurance and other valuable assets, plus business assets if you have them.
  • Section D, Credit cards: all credit cards and lines of credit, even with no balance.
  • Section E, Business information: only if you or your spouse are self-employed, including income from online sales.
  • Section F, Employment information: for wage earners. If you attach a current pay stub, you do not need to complete this section.
  • Section G, Non-wage household income: net self-employment income, net rental income and other income such as K-1 distributions or IRA distributions.
  • Section H, Monthly necessary living expenses: convert bills you do not pay monthly into a monthly amount.
  • Signature: sign and date; both spouses sign if you owe on a joint return.

Required supporting documents

Most ROs require these alongside Form 433:

  • Last 3 months of bank statements (all accounts)
  • Last 3 months of pay stubs
  • Most recent tax return
  • Mortgage or rental agreement
  • Vehicle titles or loan statements
  • Investment account statements
  • Self-employed: profit/loss statements for last 12 months

What happens after you fax

Your revenue officer reviews Form 433 and supporting documents, then offers:

  • Streamlined Installment Agreement, Available for under $50K balance
  • Partial Payment Installment Agreement (PPIA), Lower payments based on ability
  • Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status, Temporary collection halt if you can't pay anything
  • Offer in Compromise (OIC) eligibility evaluation, Settle for less than owed

Review timeline: 30-45 days typical, longer for OIC submissions.

Common mistakes

Underreporting income. The IRS cross-references your Form 433 against W-2s, 1099s, and bank deposits. Underreporting triggers fraud penalties.

Wrong Form 433 version. Submitting 433-F when the IRS asked for 433-A delays processing. Match exactly what the RO requests.

Missing supporting docs. Form 433 alone is rarely sufficient. Send everything the RO listed.

Outdated information. Information must reflect the last 30 days. Old data causes back-and-forth requests.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is Form 433-F used for?
Form 433-F, Collection Information Statement, tells the IRS your income, expenses, assets and debts so it can decide how you can pay a tax balance, for example through an installment agreement requested with Form 9465.
What is the IRS fax number for Form 433?
There is no universal Form 433 fax number. The correct number comes from your IRS revenue officer's letter or your collection notice (CP14, CP504, LT11, etc.). If you're working with the Automated Collection System, call 1-800-829-7650 to get the fax number for your case.
Should I fax Form 433-F or Form 433-A?
Form 433-F (2 pages) is the streamlined version for installment agreements under $50K. Form 433-A (10 pages) is required for larger balances, complex cases, or when the IRS specifically requests it. Match what your revenue officer asked for.
What documents do I need with Form 433?
Most revenue officers require: 3 months of bank statements (all accounts), 3 months of pay stubs, your most recent tax return, mortgage/rent agreement, vehicle and investment statements, and (for self-employed) 12 months of profit/loss statements.
How long does the IRS take to review Form 433?
Typical review is 30-45 days. Offer in Compromise applications take longer, 4-6 months. The IRS may request additional documentation, which restarts the review clock.
Can I file Form 433 with my own attorney?
Yes. Your CPA, attorney, or enrolled agent can submit Form 433 on your behalf if you've filed Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) authorizing them. Faxing through your representative often gets faster review since they have direct contact with the RO.
What if I can't pay anything?
File Form 433 with full disclosure of income and expenses. If your allowable expenses exceed your income, you may qualify for Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status, collection actions are paused until your situation improves.
Can I fax Form 433 with an electronic signature?
Yes. The IRS accepts electronic signatures on Form 433-F and 433-A. Both you and any required co-signer can sign electronically.
How does Form 433 differ from Form 9465?
Form 9465 (Installment Agreement Request) is a simple application, used for streamlined IA without financial disclosure. Form 433 is the financial statement that supports an IA application when required (typically over $50K or in collection).
Do I need Form 433 for an Offer in Compromise?
Yes. Form 433-A (OIC) for individuals or Form 433-B (OIC) for businesses is required with every Offer in Compromise. The IRS uses Form 433 to calculate your 'reasonable collection potential' for OIC eligibility.
What happens if my Form 433 is incomplete?
The revenue officer sends a request for additional information, restarting the review clock. Significant gaps may cause the IRS to deny your installment agreement request and resume collection actions (levies, liens).
How often must I update Form 433?
Most installment agreements require updated Form 433 every 24 months. The RO may request updates more frequently if your financial situation appears to have improved.
Can I fax Form 433 from outside the United States?
Yes, using your revenue officer's fax number. Faxend's online service handles long-distance routing transparently, you pay a flat $4.99 for up to 10 pages regardless of where the IRS office is located.

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