IRS Just Expanded Its Business Tax Account: New Ways to View Notices and Make Payments Online

On August 6, 2026, the IRS announced a significant expansion of its Business Tax Account (BTA), a free online platform that lets eligible business owners manage their federal tax obligations without picking up the phone. If your business owes back taxes, is on a payment plan, or has ever settled a tax debt, several of these new tools apply directly to you.

What Is the Business Tax Account?

The Business Tax Account is an online self-service platform that allows authorized users of certain entity types to securely access and manage their federal tax records and information. Think of it as the business version of the individual “Online Account” the IRS already offers to everyday taxpayers. You log in, and you can see what the IRS sees: your balance, your notices, your payment history, and more.

The IRS has been steadily building out this platform as part of a broader push to reduce paper-based processes and cut down on the long hold times that plague its phone lines. The August 2026 update, announced under IR-2026-87, is the most substantial expansion to date.

What’s New: The Features That Matter Most if You Owe

Digital Notices You Can Actually Read Online

One of the biggest frustrations for business owners with a tax problem is not knowing what the IRS has sent them. Paper notices get misplaced. Mail forwarding fails. A collection process can be well underway before you even know a letter was sent.

That changes with this update. Users now have access to an expanding library of digital IRS notices inside their BTA. Recently added notices include CP081B (We May Have a Refund for You), CP211A (Application to file extension of time approved), and CP134R (Federal tax deposits discrepancy, due a refund), among others. The IRS has indicated more notice types will continue to be added over time.

If you have unresolved tax issues, logging into your BTA and checking the notices section is one of the simplest ways to understand exactly where things stand, before the situation escalates.

View and Pay Your Installment Agreement Online

If your business already has a payment plan with the IRS, you can now view that plan’s balance and other details, and make a payment toward it, directly inside the BTA. Previously, this often required a call to the IRS or a mailed check. Now it is a few clicks.

This matters because missed installment agreement payments can trigger default, which puts your business back at square one with collections. Having clear visibility into what you owe and when makes it easier to stay on track.

Offer in Compromise Payments Now Accepted Online

If your business has an accepted Offer in Compromise, you can now submit payments for that settlement directly through the portal. An Offer in Compromise is a formal agreement in which the IRS accepts less than the full amount owed. If your offer has been accepted and you are working through the payment terms, the BTA now gives you a direct online path to make those payments, rather than relying on checks or EFTPS.

If you have not yet explored whether an Offer in Compromise is an option for your business, that is a conversation worth having with a qualified tax professional. Whether your business may qualify depends entirely on your specific financial circumstances.

Download Your EIN Verification Notice

Designated officials can now download Notice CP575, the EIN verification notice, directly from the BTA. This notice can be used in place of Letter 147C at banks and financial institutions. For business owners who have needed to verify their EIN for a loan, a new bank account, or a vendor relationship, this eliminates the weeks-long wait that often came with requesting Letter 147C by mail.

Schedule Payments Up to a Year in Advance

Depending on your business type and role, you can schedule a payment for any business day up to one year in advance and cancel a scheduled payment if your plans change. You can also store multiple bank accounts in an online wallet to manage tax payments, and view recently processed payments, including any that were returned or refused.

Who Can Use the Business Tax Account?

The IRS has expanded eligibility significantly over the past year. The BTA currently supports access for the following entity types:

• Sole proprietors who have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS
• Individual partners with a Social Security number or ITIN and a Schedule K-1 on file (tax years 2012 through 2023)
• Individual shareholders with a Social Security number or ITIN and a Schedule K-1 on file (tax years 2006 through 2023)
• S corporations
• C corporations
• Federal, state, and local governments
• Indian tribal governments
• Tax-exempt organizations

It is worth noting that LLCs that file on Schedule C or Schedule F cannot yet access a BTA. The IRS has signaled that future updates will bring in more entity types as the platform continues to develop.

Eligible users must meet the BTA access requirements and register before they can view or manage their federal tax records. Registration is done through IRS.gov/businessaccount using the same login credentials as the Individual Online Account.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means if You Have a Tax Problem

The IRS expanding its self-service tools is genuinely good news for business owners, but it does not change what the agency can do if a tax debt goes unresolved. Penalties and interest continue to grow on unpaid balances. A payment plan that defaults can lead to levies on business bank accounts. A balance that has been ignored can follow your business into future tax years.

The BTA gives you information and basic tools. It does not negotiate for you. It does not evaluate whether you qualify for penalty abatement, an installment agreement you can actually afford, an Offer in Compromise, or Currently Not Collectible status. And it does not alert you when a collections action is imminent.

If you log into your BTA and see a balance you cannot pay in full, or notices you do not understand, that is the moment to get professional help. The longer a business tax debt sits, the fewer options remain on the table.

What to Do Right Now

If you own a business and have not yet set up a Business Tax Account, go to IRS.gov/businessaccount to check your eligibility and register. Once you are in, review your balance, pull any digital notices, and verify that the name and address on file with the IRS are current. If there are discrepancies, address them immediately.

If you already know your business owes back taxes and you are unsure what to do next, the team at Clear Start Tax works with business owners to understand all available resolution options, and to negotiate with the IRS on their behalf. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a structured payment arrangement, penalty relief, or another program designed to help businesses get back into good standing.

The BTA is a window into your account. Clear Start Tax helps you decide what to do with what you see there. Reach out for a free consultation to go over your situation and your options.