Consequences and Options for Unfiled Tax Returns
Failing to file your taxes for three years can lead to serious consequences, including:
Loss of Tax Refund:
If you’re due a tax refund, you have three years from the original filing deadline to claim it. After that, you forfeit the refund.
Failure-to-File and Failure-to-Pay Penalties:
The IRS imposes penalties for both failing to file and failing to pay taxes. These penalties can accumulate up to 25% of your unpaid tax liability.
Substitute Tax Return:
If you don’t file a tax return, the IRS may issue a substitute return on your behalf, using information from third parties. This can result in a higher tax bill than if you had filed your own return.
Collection Actions:
If the substitute return shows that you owe taxes, the IRS can enforce collection actions, such as wage garnishment, bank levies, and property seizures.
How to Catch Up on Unfiled Returns:
To catch up on unfiled returns, gather the necessary information, such as income documents, expenses, and dependents’ details. You can contact payers or use the IRS website to obtain missing documents.
Why You Should File Taxes ASAP:
Filing taxes promptly offers several benefits:
- Claiming Tax Refunds: You can still claim refunds for the past two years.
- Reducing Penalties: Filing sooner minimizes failure-to-file penalties.
- Avoiding a Substitute Return: Filing proactively prevents the IRS from issuing a substitute return.
- Preventing Collection Actions: Filing eliminates the risk of IRS collection actions.
- Qualifying for Tax Resolution Programs: Compliance with filing requirements is essential for certain tax relief programs.
What if You Can’t Afford to Pay?
Even if you can’t afford to pay your taxes, you should still file your return to avoid penalties. You can explore payment options with the IRS, such as payment plans, offers in compromise, or partial payment plans.
State Tax Implications:
State revenue agencies have their own rules for delinquent tax returns. Failure to file can result in penalties and, in some cases, professional license suspension or business closure.
Filing past due tax returns is crucial to avoid penalties, collection actions, and other consequences. By gathering the necessary information and filing promptly, you can minimize the impact of unfiled returns and protect your financial well-being.
Haven’t Filed Taxes in Years? Here’s What To Do! [Step by Step]
FAQ
Can you get in trouble for not filing taxes for 3 years?
How many years can you go without filing a tax return?
What should I do if I haven’t done my taxes in 3 years?
What if I haven’t filed my taxes in 4 years?
What happens if I don’t file my taxes?
The penalty is 5% of your unpaid tax liability for each month your return is late, up to 25% of your total unpaid taxes. In addition to this penalty, the IRS typically adds on interest based on how long your tax debt is outstanding. What happens if you don’t file taxes?
What happens if I fail to file a tax return?
There is usually no failure-to-file penalty if your late tax return results in a refund. But you should still plan to file as soon as possible if you have a filing obligation. Keep in mind that you also typically have just three years to claim any tax refunds due to you.
Should I file my tax return for two years?
The clock is ticking on your chance to claim your refund. You should file your tax returns for both tax years to make sure the IRS doesn’t get to keep your tax refund check. If the IRS thinks you may owe for these tax years, you may have received one or more notices from the IRS by now.
What happens if you forget to file your taxes?
If you only forgot to file last year’s return (or the one for the year before that), you’re not in hot water — yet. A tax return that’s only a couple years late will net you some penalties, but that’s it. More than three years overdue, however, and the real consequences set in. What are the risks of filing your taxes late?