There's Another Way to Resolve Tax Debt The Fresh Start Program helps make streamlined installment agreements more easily available to taxpayers. Setting up an installment agreement with the IRS may help you avoid some tax penalties. If you owe $50,000 or less, the Fresh Start Program can help you pay your debt through monthly direct debit payments spread out over six years. Because the process has been simplified, you may not even have to provide a financial statement to tak