Haven't Filed Tax Returns In A While? How Many Years Do You Need To File?
I represent taxpayers in Tallahassee, Florida who have federal tax debts and need assistance filing tax returns and negotiating payment with the IRS.
Dealing with the IRS can be a scary daunting thought for those who haven't filed their tax returns in years. Most taxpayers fail to file tax returns because a situation or events occurred that made them think this was not a priority.
The IRS will sometimes mail notices to taxpayers (Letter 4903) when there's no record that a tax return has been filed. This letter will have a deadline of 10 days to respond to the IRS.
Before filing any unfiled tax returns, you want to first consider IRS Policy Statement 5-133. First, determine if you are required to file a tax return by checking the income threshold for filing tax returns. Second, know that it is your legal obligation to file an accurate tax return. If you file an inaccurate return you can put yourself at risk for the accuracy-related penalty which is 20% of the net understatement of tax. Third, if you haven't filed in many years the IRS will only require you to file the previous 6 years to be in compliance.
Once you have filed the previous 6 years of tax returns with the IRS, then you will be in compliance. This allows you to resolve any unpaid tax liabilities that you owe on your tax returns. For example, you will need to file tax years 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 in order to ask the IRS for a payment plan, Offer-In-Compromise, or the Currently Not Collectible Resolution Option.
Also, there are claims of refund limitations that you need to consider. If your tax return is due for a refund, you must file your tax return within 3 years of the return due date. The IRS will also hold income tax refunds in some cases where a taxpayer has one or more tax returns unfiled. This is why is it important to be in compliance and file the latest tax refund first, for instance, the tax year 2015 should be filed first and then tax year 2016.
Unfiled tax returns with a balance due will incur failure to file and failure to pay penalties as well as interest. If you cannot pay the taxes due at the time of filing then the penalties and interest will occur and accrue on a daily basis. A taxpayer can request either a first-time penalty abatement or a penalty abatement based on reasonable cause to reduce the total tax debt old.
There's no need to stress, cash in your 401k or sell your home to settle your tax debt. There are several resolution options that can be worked out with the IRS.
For your information on how to file your missing tax returns, please download our free checklist guide to filing missing tax returns. https://www.trinityglobalfinancial.com/tax-debt-help
If you or someone you know has unfiled tax returns or some other federal or state tax issue, please have them contact us at 850-877-9461 Ext. 1 or by email info@trinityglobalfinancial.com
Ericka S. Williams, Enrolled Agent
Trinity Global Financial Group, PLLC
267 John Knox Road Ste 212
Tallahassee, FL 32303
850-877-9461
info@trinityglobalfinacial.com
www.trinityglobalfinancial.com
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