What is the Unfiled Tax Returns Statute of Limitations?
If you haven't filed your federal taxes in years, you may be under the mistaken assumption that you're protected by a statute of limitations—that is, if the IRS doesn't notice your transgression within a certain period of time, then they're no longer entitled to their money.
The Statute of Limitations Only Applies to Certain People
In fact, there is a statute of limitations that applies to collections by the IRS, but it only pertains to taxpayers who have filed their returns and have been officially notified about the amount of money they owe. From the date a taxpayer receives this notice, the IRS has 10 years to collect its money.
If you haven't paid your bill for six or seven years, and assume that the IRS has forgotten about your case, you may be in for a major shock. But if the IRS waits too long to act on its initial notice, then they—not you—are out of luck.
When Does the Statute of Limitations Apply?
It's important to realize, that the 10-year statute of limitations only applies if:
- You have filed a return for a given year, and
- You have been sent a notice of the amount of money you owe.
What Happens if You Don't File Taxes for Years?
If you simply blow off your taxes for years and years, not bothering to file any returns at all, then the IRS has until the end of eternity to catch up with you—by which time, the accumulated penalties and interest will reach into the stratosphere.
To put it in more concrete terms: if you didn't file your taxes in the year 2000, and you are under the impression that you've gotten away with it because some mythical 10-year statute of limitations has expired, then you're going to need the advice of an experienced Oklahoma tax lawyer.
Have you failed to file your federal taxes, and are you worried about the consequences? Call the Oklahoma tax experts at Travis W. Watkins, PC (405) 703-5689 for a free consultation today!
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