File Back Taxes Help
If you're dealing with back taxes, it's important to address the situation promptly and appropriately. Here are some steps you can take and resources you can consider for help:
1. Consult a Tax Professional: Enlisting the help of a tax professional, such as a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA), or tax attorney, can provide you with expert guidance tailored to your specific situation. They can help you understand your options, navigate complex tax laws, and ensure you're taking the right steps to resolve your back taxes.
2. File Any Unfiled Returns: If you have unfiled tax returns, it's crucial to file them as soon as possible. The IRS requires individuals to file back taxes for the previous six years. If you're owed a refund for any of those years, you generally have three years from the original due date of the return to claim it.
3. Assess Your Tax Liability: Determine the total amount you owe in taxes, including penalties and interest. This will help you understand the scope of the issue and plan your next steps.
4. Consider Payment Options: If you're unable to pay the full amount due immediately, the IRS offers several payment options, including IRS payment plan or installment agreements, which allow you to pay your tax debt over time. Your tax professional can help you negotiate the best arrangement based on your financial situation.
5. Request Penalty Abatement: In some cases, the IRS may consider reducing or waiving penalties if you have a valid reason for not filing or paying on time. This is known as penalty abatement. A tax professional can help you present a compelling case to request penalty relief.
6. Offer in Compromise: An Offer in Compromise (OIC) is an agreement between you and the IRS to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed. This option is available if you can demonstrate that you're unable to pay the full tax liability.
7. Stay Current with Future Taxes: To avoid future tax problems, make sure you stay current with your tax obligations by filing your returns and paying any taxes owed on time.
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How many years can you file back taxes?
In the United States, you generally have a window of three years from the original due date of a tax return to file an original return and claim any tax refunds. This means that if you are owed a refund for a specific tax year, you have three years from the original due date of that year's return to file and claim that refund. For example, if the original due date of a tax return was April 15, 2023, you would typically have until April 15, 2026, to file and claim any refund for that tax year.
However, if you owe taxes and you didn't file a return by the due date, the IRS has no statute of limitations on assessing taxes that are due. This means that you can be legally obligated to pay the taxes you owe, and the IRS can come after you for these taxes at any time.
If you fail to file a tax return altogether, the IRS might eventually file a substitute return on your behalf based on the information they have on file. This return will likely not include any deductions or credits you might be eligible for, potentially resulting in a higher tax liability than if you had filed your own return.
How many years does the IRS make you file back taxes?
The IRS generally requires individuals to file tax returns for the previous six years.
This means that if you have unfiled tax returns for up to six years, you should file those returns as soon as possible to get into compliance with your tax obligations.
Failing to file required tax returns can lead to penalties, interest, and potential legal issues.
Keep in mind that if you're owed a refund for any of those years, you typically have three years from the original due date of the return to claim that refund.
However, if you owe taxes, the IRS can assess those taxes at any time, and there's no statute of limitations on collecting taxes that are owed.
IRS Non Filers
IRS non-filers typically refer to individuals who are required to file a tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) but have not done so for a particular tax year. This could be due to various reasons, such as not meeting the income threshold, being unaware of the requirement, or simply neglecting to file.
If you fall into the category of non-filers, it's important to take action to address your tax situation.
KEITH'S STEPS TO PROVIDE BACK TAXES HELP
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How to file back taxes
Are you one of the many IRS non filers? Filing prior year taxes can be a bit more complicated than filing current-year taxes, especially if you've missed filing for multiple years. Here's a general guide to show you how to file back taxes:
1. Gather Your Documents: Collect all relevant tax documents for the years you need to file back taxes. This includes W-2s, 1099s, any income records, deductions, and other documents related to your finances.
2. Download Forms:Â Obtain the tax forms for the years you need to file. You can usually find past-year forms on the IRS website or through tax software.
3. Fill Out the Forms:Â Complete the tax forms for each year, reporting your income and claiming any deductions or credits you're eligible for. Be thorough and accurate, as errors can lead to delays or further issues.
4. Calculate Tax Liability:Â Calculate the taxes owed for each year by referring to the tax tables or using tax software. If you have limited information, you can estimate your income based on available records.
5. Submit Forms: Print and sign the completed forms for each year. If possible, file your returns electronically using modern tax software. If you're filing for very old years, you might need to file paper returns by mail.
6. Pay Any Taxes Owed: If you owe taxes for the years you're filing, it's important to pay them as soon as possible to avoid additional penalties and interest. Include a check or money order with your paper return or use the IRS payment options for electronic filing.
7. Address Penalties and Interest: Be prepared for potential penalties and interest for late filing and payment. The IRS may assess penalties for failure to file and failure to pay, but you can usually request penalty abatement if you have a reasonable cause.
8. Keep Copies:Â Make copies of all the documents you send to the IRS, including the completed tax forms, supporting documents, and payment records. This will be useful for your records and in case of any disputes.
9. Submit Separate Returns:Â Prepare and file a separate return for each year you missed. Avoid combining multiple years' taxes on a single return, as this can lead to confusion and processing delays.
10. Seek Professional Help:Â If you're uncertain about how to proceed, have complex financial situations, or if you're dealing with significant tax debt, consider seeking assistance from a tax professional, such as a certified public accountant (CPA) or tax attorney. They can provide guidance and ensure you're filing accurately.
It's important to address back taxes as soon as possible to avoid being on the IRS non filers list. While the process may seem daunting, taking step-by-step action can help you get back on track with your tax obligations.
Back taxes help to solve your tax problems is available.
If you are behind on your taxes, you are not alone. Millions of Americans are also delinquent. If you require IRS back tax help, look no further than TheCPATaxProblemSolver.
Settling your IRS tax problems can leave you down mentally and financially.
Keith has reduced or eliminated tax debt for countless clients and has an impeccable acceptance rate for his OIC submissions. Learn more about the back tax relief program called the Offer In Compromise (OIC) here.
But if you don't qualify for an OIC, don't panic. There are many options to solve your back tax problem. Check out these other Tax Relief Options
But make sure you don’t ignore your IRS back taxes. The problem never goes away! They will impede your way to financial freedom.
Remember, if you already tried to solve your back tax problem with no success, you can click the button below to book a free tax problem evaluation and get back tax help!
Back Taxes ExplainedÂ
Back taxes refer to taxes that have not been paid in the year that they were due.
Unpaid back taxes can occur at the local, state, or federal levels, but back tax help is available.
You should keep in mind that these unpaid taxes will accumulate penalties and interest charges on a regular basis (daily and monthly). What’s more, the IRS is known to file a substitute return as part of their collection efforts. Once the state and the IRS complete their assessment, they can start facilitating collection actions, such as liens, bank levies, and wage garnishments.
The IRS usually sends out notices regarding the payment of back taxes. They contain:
The principal sum that the taxpayer owes
The total interest rate that the IRS is charging
The penalties that the IRS has imposed
The final amount owed (including interest and penalties)
If you do not file your tax returns and pay on time, you also risk losing the IRS tax refunds you were originally entitled to.
Speak to Keith Jones, CPA TheCPATaxProblemSolver about IRS Tax Relief.