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IRS announces 2026 interest rate update
The IRS announced that interest rates for tax overpayments and underpayments will remain unchanged for the quarter starting Oct. 1, 2026. Individual rates stay at 7%, while corporate rates vary from 4.5% to 9% depending on the type and amount.
The Internal Revenue Service has announced an interest rate update for the quarter beginning Oct. 1, with rates holding steady from the previous quarter.
Each quarter, the IRS sets interest rates for overpayments and underpayments based on the federal short-term rate determined by the U.S. Treasury. For individuals, both the underpayment and overpayment rates are set at the federal short-term rate for the first month of the previous quarter plus 3 percentage points, compounded daily.
The formula is more complex for corporations. Generally, the underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points, while the overpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. Large corporate underpayments carry a higher rate of the federal short-term rate plus 5 percentage points. For the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000, the rate is the federal short-term rate plus 0.5 percentage point.
For the quarter starting Oct. 1, the rates will remain the same. For individuals, the rate for overpayments and underpayments will be 7% per year, compounded daily. Other newly announced rates include:
7% for overpayments by individuals (payments made in excess of the amount owed)
6% for overpayments by corporations
4.5% for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000
7% for underpayments (taxes owed but not fully paid)
9% for large corporate underpayments
The interest rates are based on the federal short-term rate determined during July 2026.
How each outlet told it
al.com
Framing: Same as others; no mention of unchanged rates in headline. — Neutral and factual.
Facts Included:
IRS announced interest rate update for quarter starting Oct. 1.
Rates are based on federal short-term rate determined by U.S. Treasury.
For individuals, underpayment and overpayment rates are federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points, compounded daily.
Corporate underpayment rate is federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points; overpayment rate is plus 2 percentage points.
Large corporate underpayments rate is federal short-term rate plus 5 percentage points.
Corporate overpayments exceeding $10,000 get rate plus 0.5 percentage point.
For the quarter starting Oct. 1, the interest rate will remain the same.
Individual overpayment and underpayment rate is 7% per year, compounded daily.
Corporate overpayment rate is 6%.
Corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000 rate is 4.5%.
Large corporate underpayment rate is 9%.
Rates are based on federal short-term rate determined in July 2026.
Framing: Announces the IRS interest rate update, with no mention of the rates remaining unchanged. — Neutral and factual, using phrases like 'announced an interest rate update'.
Facts Included:
IRS announced interest rate update for quarter starting Oct. 1.
Rates are based on federal short-term rate determined by U.S. Treasury.
For individuals, underpayment and overpayment rates are federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points, compounded daily.
Corporate underpayment rate is federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points; overpayment rate is plus 2 percentage points.
Large corporate underpayments rate is federal short-term rate plus 5 percentage points.
Corporate overpayments exceeding $10,000 get rate plus 0.5 percentage point.
For the quarter starting Oct. 1, the interest rate will remain the same.
Individual overpayment and underpayment rate is 7% per year, compounded daily.
Corporate overpayment rate is 6%.
Corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000 rate is 4.5%.
Large corporate underpayment rate is 9%.
Rates are based on federal short-term rate determined in July 2026.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe IRS announced an interest rate update for the quarter starting Oct. 1.
ClaimFor individuals, the underpayment and overpayment rates are the federal short-term rate for the first month of the previous quarter plus 3 percentage points, compounded daily.
ClaimFor corporations, the underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points, and the overpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points.