What to Do if You Are Still Late on Your Taxes and You Didn’t File an Extension?

If you are one of the many people who failed not only to file your taxes but also to file an extension, you might be living in a panic about what the consequences will be. The good news is that even if you missed the deadline, there are still ways to make it up and get back on track. If you owe money, ignoring it will not make it go away. It will only make it worse. So follow these steps to smooth things over.

What Happens if You Don’t File Your Taxes or an Extension?

If you missed the deadline to file and didn’t take the steps to file an extension, you might have to pay interest and penalties. If you failed to pay or file an extension, the consequences can be pretty stiff. There are two types of penalties that you are automatically subject to by the IRS. If you fail to file, you are automatically assessed at 5% per month penalty up to a 25% maximum. If you fail to pay the penalties, there is an additional 0.5% per month up to a 25% maximum. If they are both accessed, then the failure to file penalty will be reduced by the failure to pay penalty.

What if You Can’t Afford to Pay What You Owe?

Even if you can’t afford to pay your taxes, you still have to file. When you file an extension, it lets the IRS know that you are not evading them and that you know that you owe taxes. After you file for an extension, it is possible to negotiate with the IRS to make payments that you can afford. You can either ask for another extension or try to work with them to devise a payment plan.

If You File, Do the Penalties Stop Accessing?

The bad news is that although you can try to work with the IRS, the fees do not stop accruing until you pay off what you owe. So, it is a good idea to try to pay off the total as soon as you can. It might be a good idea to start to withdraw from your savings to pay your taxes, especially if the interest you are making is less than what you are accruing from your debt with the IRS. Taking out a payday loan or other high-risk loan with a high interest is probably not a good idea. That will end in digging a bigger debt hole.

What If I Ignore It?

Ignoring it won’t make the situation go away. If you fail to pay your taxes, it could lead to a host of consequences including, in egregious cases, jail time. It is better to tackle it head-on. The longer you go without filing your taxes, or an extension, the more money you will owe in fees and penalties. For help with your overdue taxes or IRS troubles, call Jetro Taxes to get the help you need to get back on track today.