old irs bill for older guy

[calunda]

My sixty-six year old uncle in L.A. owes the irs for what they said was overpayment for his child care on his income tax. The over payment was exactly nine years ago. His debt will be erased in September of 2008. Unfortunately, he is retired and paying $100.00 a month. He just got his first ssi check and is still having to pay the bill. (HIs kids by the way are well into their thirties!)

His ssi check is for $900.00 a month and it is a lot more than what he made at his last job.

How can he convince the irs to accept a "hardship" application for him? His rent is only $150.00 a month and there are no utilities. But he still lives in L.A. He has to purchase clothing, food, gasoline, auto insurance, personal insurance, small auto repairs, personal grooming stuff, stamps, you know the rest.

What can I do to help him? He did not even know what he was paying back taxes for until I called around to various irs offices for him last week.

I am at my wit's end and would like to help him. He is illiterate and needs as much help as possible.

have you written them showing what he earns and what his budget is etc.?