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Sarasota, FL: What To Do If You Have Unfiled Tax Returns

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

I represent taxpayers in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota as well as throughout the state of Florida who have federal and state tax issues. Suncoast Tax Solutions is a full-service tax resolution company helping clients to solve their tax problems.

Most people voluntarily file their tax returns and pay their taxes. Most people explain it by saying they want to pay their fair share. Others file to get a refund, claim a credit or avoid breaking the law.

There are times when normally law-abiding citizens fail to file. Why? We find that taxpayers do not file tax returns for one or more years for various reasons and the problem can become overwhelming. Missing all or a portion of their records, personal hardship and/or neglect are one of many reasons people fall behind in filing their taxes. IRS research shows that sometimes people do not file in years their filing status changes, such as due to the death of a spouse or divorce. Emotional or financial reasons may cause a person to not file. Or it could simply be due to procrastination. Unfortunately, failing to file a return creates additional problems.

Why file a tax return?

Taxpayers are required by law to file an income tax return for any year in which a filing requirement exists.

There are numerous practical reasons to file tax returns. Important programs like federal aid to higher education require applicants to submit copies of tax returns to qualify for loans. Lending institutions also may require copies of filed returns for buying a home or financing a business.

And the filing of tax returns can have a tremendous impact on your future. A person’s lifetime earnings as reported to the IRS and the Social Security Administration are the basis for Social Security retirement and disability benefits as well as Medicare. Reported income is also the source for state benefits such as unemployment compensation and industrial insurance.

What happens if you do not file?

Not filing a federal tax return can be costly — whether you end up owing more or missing out on a refund. The IRS may also impose a wide range of civil and criminal sanctions on persons who fail to file returns. 

If you owe tax and your return was not filed by the due date, including extensions, you may be subject to the failure to file penalty, unless you have reasonable cause for not filing. If you did not pay your tax in full by the due date for the return, not including extensions of time to file, you also may be subject to the failure to pay penalty, unless you have reasonable cause for your failure to pay. Additionally, interest is charged on taxes not paid by the due date; even if you have an extension of time to file. Interest is also charged on penalties.

The IRS continues to identify people who have a filing requirement but have failed to file a return.  

By law, the IRS may file a substitute return for you if you do not voluntarily file. A series of letters is first sent explaining the possible action IRS may take as part of the Substitute for Return Program. 

If you do not file a return or otherwise indicate disagreement such as by requesting to exercise your appeal rights, the IRS will file a basic return for you. An IRS-prepared return will not include any of your additional exemptions or expenses. The IRS will compute the tax liability and send you a bill for the tax that will also include interest and penalties.

If a substitute return has already been filed for you by the IRS, you should still file your own return to claim any additional items. The IRS will generally adjust your account to reflect the corrected figures. 

What are the consequences of not filing a tax return?

Here are some things to consider:

  • Failure to file penalty. If you owe taxes, a delay in filing may result in a "failure to file" penalty, also known as the “late filing” penalty, and interest charges. The longer you delay, the larger these charges grow. It may result in penalty and interest charges that could increase your tax bill by 25 percent or more.
     
  • Losing your refund. There is no penalty for failure to file if you are due a refund. However, you cannot obtain a refund without filing a tax return. If you wait too long to file, you may risk losing the refund altogether. In cases where a return is not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund.
     
  • EITC. Individuals who are entitled to the Earned Income Tax Credit must file their return to claim the credit even if they are not otherwise required to file. The return must be filed within three years of the due date in order to receive the credit.
     
  • Statutes of limitation. After the expiration of the refund statute, not only does the law prevent the issuance of a refund check, but it also prevents the application of any credits, including overpayments of estimated or withholding taxes, to other tax years that are underpaid. On the other hand, the statute of limitations for IRS to assess and collect any outstanding balances does not start until a return has been filed. In other words, there is no statute of limitations for assessing and collecting the tax if no return has been filed.

What should you do?

Regardless of your reason for not filing, file your tax return as soon as possible.

Fortunately, there are ways to approach the problem of unfiled returns.

The IRS maintains a file going back numerous years of all W2s, 1099s, and 1098s (mortgage interest paid) filed in the name of individual taxpayers. Suncoast Tax Solutions can determine certain facts from Master File Transcripts, available for those years where the IRS has prepared a Substitute Return. These ‘records of account’ provide Adjusted Gross Income, Taxable Income, Tax, Number of Exemptions, Filing Status and Self Employment Tax. When we take on this kind of case, we will assist in re-filing your returns and our negotiations will be based on our more favorable returns for your benefit.

Suncoast Tax Solutions can prepare past returns using various substitute sources when there are missing records. Those returns should be filed as soon as possible in order to avoid accumulated compounding interest. Also, it should be noted that if returns have not been filed in the most recent three tax years, those returns should be prepared immediately in order to claim any refunds that may be due.

If you are unable to fully pay any tax due on the late returns, do not let this prevent you from filing as payment options may be available. 

Filing tax returns and paying the correct amount of tax is good citizenship. Conscientiously discharging this duty contributes to our nation’s well-being and provides peace of mind. And failing to file returns can jeopardize a family’s financial security and future.

 

If you or someone you know has a federal or state tax issue and you are not sure what to do, call me at 813-463-8348 or by email me at johnwood@suncoasttaxsolutions.com.

 

John S. Wood, CPA

 

Suncoast Tax Solutions, LLC

1990 Main St., Suite 750

 

Sarasota, FL 34236

 

Phone: 813-463-8348

 

www.suncoasttaxsolutions.com

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great information.  Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend!

Mar 19, 2021 06:35 AM