Resolve Your Back Taxes and Stop IRS Collections
Owe back taxes to the IRS? Our tax attorneys can help you settle your debt, stop penalties from growing, and protect you from aggressive collection actions. Penalties and interest can double your tax debt - stop the bleeding now.
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How Much Tax Debt Do You Owe?
Resolve Your Back Taxes and Stop IRS Collections
Owe back taxes to the IRS? Our tax attorneys can help you settle your debt, stop penalties from growing, and protect you from aggressive collection actions.
What Are Back Taxes?
Back taxes are taxes that were not paid in full when they were due. This can happen for many reasons—you couldn't afford to pay, you filed your return but didn't pay the balance, or you didn't file a return at all. Whatever the reason, unpaid back taxes don't go away. In fact, they get worse over time as the IRS adds penalties and interest.
The Cost of Ignoring Back Taxes
The IRS charges both penalties and interest on unpaid taxes, which can quickly double or even triple your original tax debt:
- •Failure to File Penalty: 5% per month (up to 25% of unpaid taxes)
- •Failure to Pay Penalty: 0.5% per month (up to 25% of unpaid taxes)
- •Interest: Compounds daily on both the tax and penalties
Example: A $10,000 tax debt can grow to $15,000 or more in just a few years with penalties and interest.
What Happens If You Don't Pay Back Taxes?
The IRS has extensive powers to collect unpaid taxes. If you ignore your back tax debt, the IRS will take increasingly aggressive collection actions:
Notice and Demand for Payment
The IRS sends you a bill for the amount you owe, including penalties and interest. You typically have 10 days to pay or make arrangements.
Federal Tax Lien
The IRS files a public notice claiming your property as collateral for your tax debt. This damages your credit and makes it difficult to sell or refinance property.
Wage Garnishment & Bank Levies
The IRS can seize your wages, bank accounts, Social Security benefits, and other income to satisfy your debt. They can take up to 70% or more of your paycheck.
Property Seizure
In extreme cases, the IRS can seize and sell your property, including your home, car, or business assets, to pay your tax debt.
How Our Tax Attorneys Resolve Back Taxes
Our experienced tax lawyers have helped thousands of clients resolve back tax debts and stop IRS collections. We'll evaluate your situation and recommend the best solution:
1. Installment Agreement (Payment Plan)
We negotiate an affordable monthly payment plan with the IRS, allowing you to pay your back taxes over time. Once approved, the IRS stops collection actions like wage garnishments and bank levies.
Best for: Those who can afford monthly payments but can't pay the full amount immediately
2. Offer in Compromise (Settle for Less)
If you qualify, we can negotiate with the IRS to settle your tax debt for less than you owe—often pennies on the dollar. This is the best option if you can't afford to pay the full amount.
Best for: Those facing financial hardship who can't afford to pay the full debt
3. Currently Not Collectible Status
We can prove to the IRS that collecting the debt would cause financial hardship, temporarily halting all collection activities. While interest and penalties continue to accrue, you get breathing room to improve your financial situation.
Best for: Those experiencing severe financial hardship with no ability to pay
4. Penalty Abatement
We can request that the IRS remove or reduce penalties if you have reasonable cause for not paying on time (illness, natural disaster, bad advice from a tax professional, etc.). This can significantly reduce your total debt.
Best for: Those with legitimate reasons for late payment who want to reduce their debt
5. Innocent Spouse Relief
If your spouse or ex-spouse is responsible for the tax debt, you may qualify for relief from joint tax liability. We can help you prove you shouldn't be held responsible for their tax mistakes.
Best for: Those who filed jointly but weren't responsible for the tax errors or unpaid taxes
6. Unfiled Tax Returns
If you have unfiled tax returns, we'll prepare and file them for you. Filing missing returns is often the first step to resolving your back tax debt and stopping IRS collection actions.
Best for: Those who haven't filed returns for one or more years
Don't Let Back Taxes Control Your Life
Back taxes don't go away on their own—they only get worse. The sooner you take action, the more options you have to resolve your debt and stop IRS collections. Our tax attorneys have helped thousands of clients eliminate back tax debt and regain financial freedom.
Get Your Free Consultation TodayCommon Reasons for Back Taxes
Unfiled Tax Returns
You didn't file your tax returns for one or more years, and the IRS has assessed taxes based on their own calculations (often much higher than what you actually owe).
Insufficient Withholding
Your employer didn't withhold enough taxes from your paycheck, or you're self-employed and didn't make estimated tax payments throughout the year.
Financial Hardship
You filed your return but couldn't afford to pay the balance due because of job loss, medical expenses, divorce, or other financial difficulties.
Business Tax Debt
Your business owes payroll taxes, sales taxes, or income taxes. Business tax debt can result in personal liability for business owners.
Tax Mistakes or Errors
You made errors on your tax return that resulted in underpayment, or you claimed deductions or credits you weren't entitled to.
Life Changes
Major life events like divorce, inheritance, selling property, or cashing out retirement accounts created unexpected tax liabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Taxes
How long do I have to pay back taxes?
The IRS generally has 10 years from the date the tax was assessed to collect the debt (called the Collection Statute Expiration Date). However, certain actions like filing for bankruptcy or requesting an Offer in Compromise can extend this period. It's best to resolve your debt rather than wait for it to expire.
Can I go to jail for not paying back taxes?
Generally, no. The IRS cannot send you to jail simply for owing money. However, you can face criminal charges for tax evasion, filing false returns, or willfully not filing returns. If you owe back taxes, it's critical to work with a tax attorney to resolve the issue legally.
What if I can't afford to pay my back taxes?
If you can't afford to pay, you have options. Our tax attorneys can negotiate an installment agreement, Offer in Compromise, or Currently Not Collectible status based on your financial situation. Don't ignore the debt—contact us to explore your options.
Will the IRS work with me if I owe back taxes?
Yes, the IRS offers several programs to help taxpayers resolve back tax debt. However, navigating these programs can be complex, and the IRS is not on your side. Having a tax attorney negotiate on your behalf ensures you get the best possible outcome.
What happens if I have unfiled tax returns?
If you have unfiled returns, the IRS may file a Substitute for Return (SFR) on your behalf, often resulting in a much higher tax bill than if you filed yourself. We can help you file missing returns and potentially reduce your tax liability significantly.
WHY CHOOSE US
We've built our reputation on trust, expertise, and results. Here's why thousands of clients choose Fidelis Tax.
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Over $1 Billion
In Back Taxes Resolved
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SUCCESS STORIES
See how we've helped thousands of clients address their tax problems and regain financial freedom
"Fidelis Tax helped me address my tax debt and get my life back on track. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and made the entire process stress-free."
"Professional service and excellent results. They helped reduce my debt significantly and set up a payment plan I could actually afford. Highly recommended!"
"They saved me thousands and made the process stress-free. I was facing wage garnishment, but they stopped it and got me an offer in compromise."
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Don't let tax problems control your life. Our proven track record speaks for itself - we've helped address over $1 billion in tax debt.