Unfiled Tax Returns - What Should I Do?
by ELIZABETH CHECKLEYUnfiled Tax Returns is defined by the IRS as your in ability to file multiple tax returns on time – regardless of whether or not you owe the IRS a tax payment.
How to Resolve Unfiled Tax Returns
- Talk to an expert. If you’d like to attempt to resolve this on your own, proceed to Step 2. In about 5 minutes of some basic questions, a tax expert can figure-out the severity of your situation. Most of the questions will be around your occupation, how you earn your income, whether you’re self-employed, and what tax forms you’ve received. Click here to Find a Tax Expert to get a free consultation on your situation.
- Gather your paperwork. Collect all your tax documents and paperwork to determine what returns you need to file. If you’ve lost any tax forms (i.e. 1099s, W2, etc.), you can contact the IRS to obtain copies.
- Determine which tax years are late. Based on the tax information and document you gather, you will have to determine which tax returns need to be filed. Once you’ve determined your tax returns, organize yourself by determining how much you might owe each year. If you operated a business at a loss, make sure to keep track of that as well.
- Prepare your tax returns. Start with the tax return that is the most overdue and work your way forward. You can use tax software to prepare your return but you will have to file the late return via paper (electronic filing is not available). If you were operating your business at a loss, make sure you understand Net Operating Losses. If you think you have a tax refund, you might be able to get the refund depending on the IRS Statute of Limitations.
- Figure-out how much you owe in taxes. Once you’ve completed your returns, add up the amount you owe in taxes. You will need to assess how much you owe in interest and late fees to the IRS.
- Make a payment. You can make a payment by check, cash payment, or an electronic payment by getting more information from the IRS Payment Options – Ways to Make a Payment. If you don’t have the full amount, you can also setup a monthly IRS payment plan.
- Talk with the IRS for free help. If you have any questions, you can talk with the IRS directly through their various assistance programs.
Common Problems
- Self-employed. This problem is more severe with people who are self-employed; own a small business, or freelancing. If you are a salaried worker (i.e. W2 employee), then the IRS would already be taking out estimated tax payments from your pay stubs. But if you’re not a salaried employee, then the IRS has not been receiving estimated tax payments—and could know that you owe the government money through various other forms that companies file (i.e. 1099 forms for contractors, 1099-INT from bank accounts, etc.).
- Money problems. Most people fail to file because of a poor financial situation and don’t realize that this can be communicated to the IRS in order to arrange a payment plan.
- Procrastination. People forget to file a return after missing the deadline and put it off.
- Lost forms. People loose forms or haven’t received tax forms (i.e. lost 1099s, W2s, etc). The IRS should have a copy of the documents and will be able to provide you a copy for free.
- Failure to file State Taxes. If you’re late on your federal taxes, you could also owe taxes and penalties to your State.
- Not understanding IRS penalties and interest. People forget to include the right amount of penalties and interest into their tax payments.
- Not understanding the IRS Statute of Limitations. People don’t understand all of the time limits on getting a refund or the auditing process—all factors that could influence the way you deal with filing a late return.
- Lost returns in the mail. If you’re filing a late tax return, don’t risk it getting lost in the mail. Make sure to send by certified mail or hand deliver the tax return to your local IRS office and get a receipt (bring a photocopy of the return and the IRS representative will stamp the return).
Next EITC Home Page--It’s Easier than Ever to Find Out if You Qualify for EITC »
Videos
Similar Articles
Staying Under the Audit Radar
So What Do I Do?
Keep trading ...
IRS Audit Help
What to Do in Case of an IRS Audi...
All Tax Articles
Appealing an IRS Tax Decision
How to Appeal an IRS Tax Decision
Determine if your case is eligible for appeal....
Being Ready for Small Business Taxes
What Do I Need to Know About Small Business Taxes?
Proper bookkeeping is importa...
Charitable Deductions
What Do I Need to Know About Charitable Deductions?
First off, you need to have ...
Estimated Payments
How to Pay Your Estimated Taxes
Determine if you are required to fill-out estim...
EITC Home Page--It’s Easier than Ever to Find Out if You Qualify for EITC
Do I Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit?
To determine if you qualify for t...
Energy Tax Credits
So How Do I Claim My Credit?
The credit is available for products purchased and ...
Estate Taxes
Estate Tax FAQs
What’s included in the estate?
The estate includes the fair m...
Filing a Schedule C Return
The First Steps...
Keep records. If you get audited, its key that you can show t...
Federal Child Tax Credit
Do I Qualify for the Child Tax Credit?
First off, there are some basic require...
First-Time Homebuyer Credit
How Do I Claim the Credit?
First off, you must file your taxes by mail rather t...
How to Pay Capital Gains Tax
What Do I Need to Know about Capital Gains?
Know that by holding an investment f...
How to File Employment Taxes
How to Pay Your Employment Taxes
You must withhold income tax from the wages tha...
Help with filling out Form 1040
Which Form 1040 Do I Need?
It's important to use the right version of Form 1040 ...
Help with Form W-4
How to Fill Out Form W-4
Download Form W-4 from the IRS website. This form is i...
Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC)
How to File a HCTC
Decide if you are eligible. You must be a member of the Pens...
Help On Getting Tax Assistance for Lower Income Individuals
How to Find Tax Assistance
Lower income. The IRS offers tax clinics for lower in...
How Do I File A Tax Extension?
How to Apply for A Tax Extension
Create a rough draft of your return to estimate...
How Do I Get A Tax ID?
So How Do I Get a Federal Tax ID?
You can get one instantly by going to the IRS...
How to Fight an IRS Tax Levy
How to Get Help With A Tax Levy
It’s important to first understand why the IRS i...
IRS Tax Debt
How to Start Paying Off Your IRS Tax Debt
Decide if you’re going to take on the...
IRS Penalty
There are two common scenarios when you don’t file your taxes:
1.You owe taxes...
IRS e-File Help from Teaspiller
This to Know About e-Filing
e-File is a pretty simple process from the taxpayers...
IRS Audit Help
What to Do in Case of an IRS Audit?
Carefully read the notice carefully, so you ...
IRS Help From Teaspiller
How to Get IRS Help?
If you’ve got a low income, the IRS may be able to help thr...
IRS Penalty Advice and Help
Common Penalties for Individuals and Small Businesses
Failure to File your Tax R...
IRS Tax Lien Help and Resolution
How to Resolve a Tax Lien
If you’ve got a tax lien that has been filed against y...
Information on LLC Tax Returns
LLC Tax Structures
Sole Proprietor. If you’re single member LLC, then your tax...
IRS Offer In Compromise (OIC) Help
How to File an Offer In Compromise
It’s important to read Form 656-B before begi...
IRS Penalty Abatement Help for Audits
How Do I Get an IRS Penalty Abatement?
Fill-out Form 843 Claim for Refund and Re...
Income Tax Rates
Things to Keep in Mind When Determining Your Income Tax Rate
Your tax rate isn’t...
LLC Tax Return
What Are the Differences Between the Types of LLCs?
Single Member / Single Owner...
Owe the IRS?
How to Take Care of a Tax Liability if you Owe the IRS
If you owe the IRS $25,00...
Online Tax Planning Help from Teaspiller
Income Tax Planning
Estimate what your income will be for this year.
Estimate w...
Staying Under the Audit Radar
So What Do I Do?
Keep trading records. You need to know when you bought stock an...
S Corporation Tax Return - How to Prepare
How to Resolve S Corporation Tax Return Problems
Financial documents for your S ...
SEP-IRA Retirement Plan Info
Simplified Employee Pension FAQs
How do I establish a SEP?
A formal written ...
Starting a Business
Starting a Business: What Are the Steps?
Put together a business plan. While y...
Teaspiller Help With Back Taxes
What to Do About Back Taxes
Know that there’s a statute of limitations. If you h...
Teaspiller Business Tax Planning
How Do I Best Go About Tax Planning for my Business
Record management. Most bu...
Teaspiller Delinquent Taxpayers Help and Resources
What Happens if I Have Delinquent Taxes?
When you fail to file your federal taxes ...
Tips on Self-Employed Taxes
What Do I Need to Know About Self-Employed Taxes?
Half of your self-employment t...
Tax Audit Help From Teaspiller
So What's Next?
For both an IRS audit or a state audit, make sure that you read ...
Teaspiller Tax Consultants - Here to Help You
How to Pick a Good Tax Consultant
Make sure that you find a consultant with the ...
Tax Debt Relief Tips and Help From Teaspiller
How to Start Paying Off Your Tax Debt
Decide if you’re going to take on the IRS ...
The Most Overlooked Tax Deductions
So What's the Difference?
Itemized deductions. The government provides various ...
The Tax Forms You Need
What Tax Forms Do I Need?
Form 1040 is the most important form. This is the stan...
Teaspiller Business Tax Help
What Do I Need to Pay?
There are usually three types of taxes that businesses mu...
Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN)
How Do I Get A TIN?
For a Social Security Number, you must fill out Form SS-5 fr...
The Making Work Pay Tax Credit
What Is It?
If you earn a wage, than you might qualify from this tax credit. He...
Tax Organizing Tips for Freelancers
Business bank account and credit card: It makes sense to get a bank account and...
Unfiled Tax Returns - What Should I Do?
How to Resolve Unfiled Tax Returns
Talk to an expert. If you’d like to attempt...
What To Know About Inheritance Taxes
So What Do I Do?
Currently, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusett...
When Do You Need a Tax Attorney?
What Kind of Situations?
IRS Audit. If you’ve been audited by the IRS, you can...
Wage Garnishment
How to Avoid Wage Garnishment
Work with the IRS to establish an installment agre...
