You didn’t pay your taxes.It’s going to be okay.
Millions of people are behind on their taxes right now. The IRS has a process, the process has rules, and the rules have exits. I’ve spent 32 years walking people through them.
Darrin T. Mish · Tax attorney · $100M+ resolved
Start here — two questions
The one thing to know tonight
Not filing and not paying are different problems with very different price tags. The IRS charges you ten times more for silence than for honesty.
Didn’t file
5%/month
Failure-to-file penalty, up to 25% of the balance. Plus the IRS can file a return for you with zero deductions and assess the inflated number.
Filed, couldn’t pay
0.5%/month
Failure-to-pay penalty. Ten times smaller. This is why the first move is always the same: file the returns, even when you can’t pay a dollar.
Every question you’re afraid to ask
Plain answers, no lectures. Written by a tax attorney who has heard every version of this story.
The scary questions
Will I Go to Jail for Not Paying Taxes?
Almost certainly not. The IRS puts people in prison for fraud and evasion, not for being broke.
Can the IRS Take My House?
Almost certainly not. Here is why.
Can the IRS Take My Bank Account?
Yes, but you get a 21-day window. Here is how to use it.
Can the IRS Take My Paycheck?
Yes, and this is actually the most common enforcement action. But it can be stopped.
If you haven’t filed
I Haven't Filed in Years. Now What?
Multiple years of unfiled returns feels overwhelming. But the path back to compliance is simpler than you think.
What Actually Happens If You Don't Pay Your Taxes
The IRS follows a predictable process. No one is showing up at your door tomorrow. Here is the real timeline.
The IRS Collection Timeline, Month by Month
From your first missed payment to the end of the line, here is exactly what the IRS does and when.
Ways out
I Owe the IRS but Can't Afford to Pay
The IRS has options for people who genuinely can't pay. They deal with this every day.
How to Set Up an IRS Payment Plan
A payment plan is the most common resolution. If you owe less than $50,000, the IRS must accept one.
Can I Settle My Tax Debt for Less?
Yes, through an Offer in Compromise. But it is not as easy as the TV ads make it sound.
What Is Currently Not Collectible Status?
If you genuinely can't pay, the IRS can put your account on the shelf. Collections stops. The clock keeps running.
IRS Penalties Explained Simply
Penalties can double your tax bill. Understanding them is the first step to getting them removed.
Does IRS Debt Ever Go Away?
Yes. The IRS has 10 years from the date of assessment to collect. After that, it expires.
Your situation
Self-Employed and Behind on Taxes
No employer was withholding taxes. Now you owe more than you expected. This is the most common tax problem I see.
My Small Business Owes Back Taxes
Business tax debt is more dangerous than personal tax debt because of personal liability exposure.
Tax Debt and Divorce
Joint tax returns create joint liability. Divorce doesn't change that, but there are ways to separate it.
Tax Debt and Your Credit Score
An IRS tax lien used to destroy your credit. The rules have changed, but there are still impacts to understand.
IRS Debt After Death: What Happens?
When someone dies with IRS debt, the debt doesn't transfer to family members. But the estate may be responsible.
Getting help
Got a Letter from the IRS? First Steps
You opened it. Your heart rate went up. Here is what to do next.
IRS Letters: What Each Notice Means
The IRS sends a specific sequence of notices. Each one has a number and a meaning. Here is your decoder ring.
Do I Need a Tax Attorney or a CPA?
Not every tax problem needs a lawyer. Here is how to tell the difference.
The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make with the IRS
After 32 years of IRS work, I see the same mistakes over and over. Here is how to avoid them.
Free tool
Old tax debt? Bankruptcy might erase it.
Income tax debt that passes three timing rules can be discharged in bankruptcy. Enter your dates and see where you stand.
Check Your Dates →Reading helps. Talking helps more.
Free consultation with a tax attorney — 32 years of IRS work, every situation imaginable, zero judgment. You’ll hang up knowing exactly where you stand.
Call (813) 229-7100