IRS Form 433-F: Collection Information Statement

IRS Form 433-F is a condensed version of the financial disclosure statement used by IRS collection staff to assess your ability to pay before determining your next steps.

When the IRS contacts you about an outstanding tax balance — whether through the Automated Collection System (ACS) or a local revenue officer — they need to understand your financial situation before they can offer you a resolution. Form 433-F is the shorter, more streamlined version of Form 433-A, and it is the one most commonly requested by ACS phone agents and used to support Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status determinations.

Who Needs to File Form 433-F

Form 433-F is typically required in two situations. First, if the IRS has contacted you by phone or letter and an ACS agent asks you to verify your finances before setting up a payment plan or determining your status. Second, if you believe you qualify for Currently Not Collectible status — meaning your monthly income does not exceed your allowable monthly expenses and you have no assets the IRS can seize to satisfy the debt.

If you are filing a formal Offer in Compromise with Form 656, the IRS requires the longer Form 433-A (for individuals), not 433-F. However, for streamlined installment agreements and CNC requests, 433-F is usually sufficient.

How to Complete Form 433-F

The form fits on two pages and asks for information in a logical sequence.

Personal Information. Your name, SSN (or ITIN), date of birth, home address, and the number of people in your household. If you have a spouse, the IRS will ask for their information as well, even if they are not the taxpayer on the account.

Employment and Income. Report your employer name and gross monthly wages — before taxes, not take-home pay. If you are self-employed, report your net monthly income (revenue minus business expenses). Include all other income streams: Social Security, pension, rental income, child support received, and any other regular deposits.

Assets. Report current balances in all bank accounts, the present market value of your home and the outstanding mortgage balance (the difference is equity), vehicle values and any loans against them, and balances in retirement or investment accounts. The IRS uses this to determine whether it can collect immediately from existing assets.

Monthly Expenses. List what you actually spend each month on rent or mortgage, utilities, food, transportation, health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket medical, and any court-ordered payments. The IRS applies National and Local Standard expense caps — expenses above those caps will generally not be counted when calculating your ability to pay.

The Calculation That Matters. After completing the form, the IRS effectively subtracts your allowable monthly expenses from your monthly income. If income minus allowable expenses is $0 or negative and you have no significant assets, you may qualify for CNC status, which temporarily halts collection activity.

Where to Submit Form 433-F

Do not mail Form 433-F to a generic IRS address. Submit it directly to the IRS representative handling your case — whether that is the ACS unit phone number on your notice, or a specific revenue officer you have been assigned. If you send it unsolicited without an active collection contact, it may not be processed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Reporting net (take-home) pay instead of gross wages. The IRS always wants gross income. It applies its own standard expense deductions afterward.
• Omitting accounts with small balances. Every bank account, PayPal balance, or investment account must be listed. The IRS cross-checks these against third-party reports.
• Rounding expenses up significantly. Use your actual bank statements as reference. Overinflated expenses are a red flag.
• Leaving the form unsigned. An unsigned Form 433-F is not valid and will be returned without action.
• Failing to update it. If your financial situation changes after submitting, the IRS can ask you to resubmit. CNC status is reviewed annually.

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