Article by MKenneth Finn
Even if Late, Back Taxes Filing is a Good Idea
– Finance
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With hectic lifestyles, we often forget or make mistakes, and this can 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. Even so, those who make enough income are required to file a tax return. Take time now to understand how to file late returns, considerations for the late filer and where to file.
The first step is to gather any tax forms, receipts, tax software W-2 forms and 1099 forms for the back taxes filing. 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. Calculate the taxes according to instructions and double-check 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 there is additional tax due with the back taxes filing, the filer must pay in full or make a payment arrangement. Write a check for the payment and include it with the return. Use the instructions on the form to ensure the form and check go to the right address.
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 a couple of options for filing late returns online. Visit the IRS website and locate the link for Free File if taxes are six months late. This gives you until October 15 of the year the taxes 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. The site offers older IRS forms from year past and allows the user to locate old returns needed for filing. Prior Tax charges a minimum of 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 may take as long as 10 years after the filing of a return to collect taxes and there can be penalties and jail time.
If a person owes taxes and fails to file, the IRS can file a return using 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 is often to less expensive to file a late return rather than none at all. Taxes may not be filed on time. The agency does not want to prosecute people that make simple mistakes. Fixing a tax problem with back taxes filings can prevent more severe consequences.
About the Author
Today’s hectic lifestyle can often lead to forgetting or making mistakes that result in back taxes filing. Surprisingly, a lot of people file taxes late, forget about taxes or just 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.
Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines
whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.
MKenneth Finn
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Today’s hectic lifestyle can often lead to forgetting or making mistakes that result in back taxes filing. Surprisingly, a lot of people file taxes late, forget about taxes or just 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.
Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines
whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.