Lewes CPA
officeProgar & Company, P.A.
Certified Public Accounting services for businesses and individuals
Nonfilers
Dear Reader:
If anyone you know has failed to file tax returns when due, it's
important that they be aware of the ways to resolve such a problem.
Many nonfilers missed a year for one reason or another, and now are
afraid to re-enter the tax system. But in fact, taxpayers who file
overdue returns on their own are often treated reasonably well, much
better than those who are caught.
For taxpayers who can't pay their entire tax bill at once, there's
an installment payment option. IRS will also consider an
offer-in-compromise on any of the following grounds: (1) where a
taxpayer is unable to pay the tax, (2) where there is doubt as to
the taxpayer's liability for the tax, (3) where collection of the
full amount would cause economic hardship for the taxpayer, or (4)
where compelling public policy or equity considerations exist that
provide a sufficient basis for compromise.
An offer to compromise hasn't been rejected until IRS issues a
written notice to the taxpayer or his representative, advising of
the rejection, the reason(s) for the rejection, and the taxpayer's
right to an appeal of the rejection. IRS can't notify a taxpayer or
taxpayer's representative of the rejection of an offer to compromise
until an independent administrative review of the proposed rejection
is completed. The taxpayer may administratively appeal a rejection
of an offer to compromise to the IRS Office of Appeals if, within
the 30-day period commencing the day after the date on the letter of
rejection, the taxpayer requests such an administrative review in
the manner provided by IRS.
IRS has an independent procedure to review its own proposed
rejection of requests for an installment agreement. This internal
IRS review must occur before IRS notifies the taxpayer of actual
rejection of the installment agreement request. IRS also has a
procedure to allow taxpayers to appeal—to the IRS Office of
Appeals—IRS's rejection of any request for an installment agreement.
Once a return is filed, IRS has three years in which to audit it.
After that, the return is final. If no return is filed, there's no
statute of limitations. IRS can come after the taxpayer at any time,
even many years later.
Some nonfilers are actually entitled to refunds. A return claiming a
refund can be filed at any time, but only the tax paid within the
three years before the return was filed can be recovered. Tax
withheld during a calendar year is considered paid on Apr. 15 of the
next year. Estimated tax is considered paid on the return due date,
which is generally also Apr. 15. Thus, a return filed more than
three years late will likely be fruitless as a refund claim.
Our office can help nonfilers to file the necessary returns and take
advantage of the available IRS programs.