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Sarasota: What To Do If You Have Unfiled Tax Returns

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with John S. Wood, C.P.A., P.A.

I represent taxpayers in Sarasota and throughout Florida who have federal and state tax issues. I have recently seen an uptick in the number of people contacting me who have not filed tax returns, some for many years. In fact, the non-filer issue is a priority for the IRS and they recently announced that they will increase face-to-face visits to high-income taxpayers who have not filed tax returns for prior years in an effort to increase tax compliance.

More importantly, it is worth noting that the willful failure to file a tax return is a federal tax crime under the Internal Revenue Code Section 7203.

So, what can non-filers do, and how can we help them get their tax return issue resolved with the IRS? It depends on why they failed to file a return in the first place.

If the failure to file the tax returns was due to a lack of money (i.e., they realized they would be unable to pay the tax liability shown as due on the tax return and therefore, chose not to file) then we can get those tax returns filed and begin working on a tax resolution for them to resolve the back tax balance. Possible resolutions could include an Installment Agreement, Offer-in-Compromise (“OIC”), or have their account placed in uncollectable status.

If the taxpayer’s failure to file was intentional for other reasons, such as cash payments to undocumented workers, then the way to resolve the issue and avoid a criminal tax referral is by utilizing the IRS’s Voluntary Disclosure Program. By committing to a voluntary disclosure, the taxpayer can come in and disclose the issue without fear of a criminal tax referral.

If you, or someone you know has unfiled tax returns or some other federal or state tax issue, please feel free to contact me by telephone at 813-463-8348 or by email at johnwood@suncoasttaxsolutions.com.

 

John S .Wood, CPA

Suncoast Tax Solutions, LLC

1990 Main Street

Suite 750

Sarasota, FL 34236

Phone: 813-463-8348

Fax: 813-464-8074

johnwood@suncoasttaxsolutions.com

www.suncoasttaxsolutions.com

Comments (5)

Graziella Bruner
NCS Premier Real Estate - Detroit, MI
Associate Broker - Serving Wayne & Oakland County

Welcome to Active Rain and congratulations on your first post here in the rain.

You will find that this is definitely a place to learn and glean from.  So many awesome people here in the Rain, willing, and ready to assist you. Wishing you the best. 

Nov 03, 2020 11:13 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Welcome to the ActiveRain community. Congratulations on your first post.

Nov 03, 2020 06:04 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

John S. Wood, CPA very good report about what to do having unfiled tax returns.

Nov 03, 2020 06:06 PM
Matthew Klinowski, PA
Downing Frye Realty - Naples, FL
Naples Golf Guy | Find Your Dream Lifestyle

Good morning John, congratulations on your first post and welcome to ActiveRain!

Nov 05, 2020 03:25 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

John S. Wood, CPA welcome to ActiveRain, and congratulations on successfully posting your first blog on this site.

Nov 13, 2020 02:43 PM