Dangerous Reasons for Not Filing Your Tax Returns

These excuses are not going to fly with the IRS.

I won’t have to pay what I owe if I don’t file…

The IRS receives a copy of the W-2 or 1099 forms that your employer and financial institutions send you that report your income from wages and investments. So, even if you don’t file a tax return, the IRS has a good idea about your income for the year and the amount of taxes that are due. You will ultimately get a bill from the IRS for the amount you owe — penalties and interest included.

Filing taxes is voluntary; I don’t have to file!

Some individuals argue that they don’t have to file a tax return because of a Supreme Court verdict in Flora v. United States that ruled the system of taxation is based upon voluntary assessment and payment of taxes. However, intentionally failing to file a tax return can result in incredible penalties and fines.

I didn’t receive my wage forms…

If you have not received your wage reporting forms (i.e., W-2 or 1099 forms) by March, you need to contact your them to find out why you haven’t received them. It is your direct responsibility to obtain these forms. The IRS does not, and will not, accept this as a valid reason to not file your tax return.

The IRS will eventually file my return for me…

Some individuals debate that a portion of the tax code requires the IRS to file for taxpayers who did not file on their own. In actuality, the IRS will calculate your tax obligation if you refuse to file - and send you a bill if you do owe. If you choose not to file your tax returns, you will face civil or criminal penalties.

I got divorced and thought my ex was filing for us both…

Divorce can and will complicate issues for taxpayers. However, even if you were married for only a portion of the year, you need to file your tax return based on your marital status as of the end of the year. If the divorce was concluded before the end of the year, you typically should file the tax return as a single taxpayer.

I filed electronically!

Using tax software and filing your tax return electronically helps to avoid most potential tax return errors that can occur when done by standard paper and pencil. However, it is still your responsibility to ensure the return was indeed sent through. Even if you filed electronically, and it did not go through, you are still responsible for late fees and penalties incurred.

I am a victim of identity theft…

Regardless of if you are the victim of identity theft or not, you still must file your tax return. It is your responsibility to file your legitimate tax return, then report the identity theft directly to the IRS.

I honestly forgot to file my return!

Preparing your tax return and simply forgetting to submit it is not a valid excuse for failing to file. If you forgot to file and are due a tax refund, you will not have to pay a failure to file penalty. However, if you forget for too long, you forfeit your refund if you don’t file a return to claim it within three years of the return’s due date.

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Works Consulted: Huddleston, Cameron. “10 Dangerous Excuses for Not Filing Your Taxes.” GOBankingRates. GOBankingRates, 5 March 2016. Web. 23 March 2016. <http://www.gobankingrates.com/personal-finance/10-dangerous-excuses-not-filing-taxes/>