Even Late, It Is Good To File Back Taxes
7th February 2012 by Tax Man No CommentsToday’s hectic lifestyle can often lead to forgetting or making mistakes that result in back taxes filing. You may be surprised to find many people file their taxes late, forget about filing or simply do not want to pay their taxes. If a person makes enough income based on gross annual earnings and IRS rules, than they have to file tax returns. Take time now to understand how to file late returns, considerations for the late filer and where to file.
Gather up all the appropriate receipts, tax forms, tax software, 1099s and W-2s for the back taxes filing year. Essentially, filing back taxes requires all the standard forms and receipts used on a normal tax year. Make sure to use forms for the correct tax year.
Fill in the required paper work and check for deductions as normal. Use the instructions to calculate the taxes and double-check your figures. Even if your taxes are late, you may still qualify for a refund, but only if you complete the paperwork within three years of the original due date.
If a person owes additional tax for back taxes filing, it is important to pay the proper tax in full or the very least, make a payment. Write a check for the payment and include it with the return. Make arrangements for a payment plan using Form 9465, and mail the return with a check according to instructions on the form.
While it is possible to complete back taxes filing by completing the paperwork and sending the form through the Postal Service, the delay in filing causes many people to be anxious that the return is sent to the IRS as quickly as possible. One option is to file online. There are options for those that prefer to file late returns on the internet.
If taxes are less than six months late, you can use the link from the IRS website to Free File the taxes. Taxes can be filed through October 15th of the current year in which they are due. Your state may have different rules for filing back taxes due the state.
Another site, Prior Tax offers an online site that makes back taxes filing easy. People can find old IRS forms from previous years and locate old returns that may be needed for filing. Prior Tax charges a minimum of $50 to file federal and state taxes.
Contact an accountant or legal counsel for guidance, form help or recommendations. The federal laws enforce the statute of limitations on taxes that are not paid. The IRS can take as long as 10 years after a return is filed to collect taxes. Penalties can apply as well as jail time.
If the person owing taxes does not file, the IRS itself can file a return that is based on an estimation of income. This substitute for return form involves some assumptions about income and does not account for all deductions that could be filed. It may be cheaper to file a late return rather than none.
The IRS deals with situations where taxes are not filed on time frequently. The agency does not want to prosecute people that make simple mistakes. Fixing a tax problem with Back Taxes Filing can prevent more severe consequences.













































