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Tax Debt Help in Virginia: IRS Options and Free Clinics

By the Tax Relief Answers editors · Sources checked November 3, 2026 · How we check

The short answer

Virginia has a state individual income tax, collected by Virginia Tax, so people in Virginia can owe both Virginia Tax and the IRS, and a plan with one does not cover the other. As of November 2026, Virginia Tax says you can set up a self-service payment plan if you owe less than $25,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest and have no listed collection actions, and that individual income tax plans can run up to 5 years. IRS Publication 4134 (Rev. 1-2026) lists Low Income Taxpayer Clinics in Fairfax, Lexington and Richmond for federal tax problems.

Federal vs state: who to contact for what

If the debt is federal

The IRS options are the same in every state, so this page does not repeat them: an IRS payment plan, an Offer in Compromise, Currently Not Collectible status and first-time penalty abatement. Each of those pages has the current IRS rules, fees and dates. A federal tax lien follows its own rules; see federal tax lien and lien vs levy. You can request each IRS option directly from the IRS.

If the debt is owed to Virginia Tax

Virginia Tax's payment plans page says you can only set up a plan after you receive a bill. Its terms, as of November 2026:

• Self-service plans. Available online or through the Teleplan automated line at 804.440.5100 (individual accounts only) if you owe less than $25,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest, and your account has none of these collection actions: padlock, revocation, criminal warrant or bond; tax levies issued to an employer or bank; bankruptcy; or assignment to an outside collection agency or a Virginia Tax field agent.
• Plans with a representative. If you do not qualify for self-service, you can still call 804.367.8045. If an outside collection agency has contacted you, you must call the agency instead.
• Length. Individual income tax plans can run up to 5 years. Virginia Tax says it accepts 24 monthly installments in many cases.
• Down payment. Not required, but encouraged; for phone plans, Virginia Tax recommends 10% down for individuals.
• Penalties and interest. They keep accruing for the life of the plan. For Teleplan agreements, they are added to your final payment.

Virginia Memorandum of Lien

Virginia Tax's collection actions page says that if a bill stays unpaid after failed collection attempts, it may file a Memorandum of Lien in one or more Circuit Courts. A Memorandum of Lien has the same effect as a judgment in the agency's favor, is public record, and may affect your credit and your ability to buy a car or home. The recorded document can remain in force for 20 years, or until you pay the liabilities in full.

Free Low Income Taxpayer Clinics in Virginia

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent organizations that receive IRS grants and represent people in disputes with the IRS for free or a small fee. IRS Publication 4134 (Rev. 1-2026) says they generally serve people whose income does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. The publication describes them as help with IRS disputes, so they are not the channel for a state tax debt. These are the Virginia clinics it lists; the city is the main office, and many clinics serve a wider area.

Publication 4134 lists each clinic's phone number and languages; the Taxpayer Advocate Service LITC page has the current search tool.

Taxpayer Advocate Service office in Virginia

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) can help, at no cost, people who have not been able to resolve a tax problem with the IRS. Its contact page lists this local office for Virginia as of November 2026:

TAS says to open a new case with Form 911 or through its toll-free number, 1-877-777-4778; the local office is for people with an open TAS case who need to reach their advocate after more than 30 days. TAS works on federal tax problems, not state tax debts.

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