As we inch closer to the April 15 tax deadline, a lot of people are feeling that familiar pressure — digging through files, stressing over numbers, and maybe even procrastinating a little more than they should. Sound familiar?
If you’ve found yourself thinking, “What if I just skip it this year?” — take a deep breath and keep reading. We’re here to walk you through what really happens when you don’t file your taxes… and how to fix it if you’re already behind.
First Things First: Yes, It Matters
Let’s get this out of the way: ignoring your tax obligations doesn’t make them disappear. While the IRS isn’t going to send someone to your door the next day, skipping your tax filing can trigger a snowball of penalties, interest, and long-term headaches that are a lot more painful than just sitting down and filing.
What If You’re Owed a Refund?
If the IRS owes you money, you won’t face penalties for filing late — but don’t celebrate just yet. You only have three years to claim your refund. After that, your money officially becomes a donation to the U.S. Treasury. (Not exactly the feel-good ending you want.)
What If You Owe the IRS?
This is where things get serious. Missing the filing deadline when you owe money starts a chain reaction:
- You’ll get hit with a failure-to-file penalty, which is 5% of what you owe every month, up to 25%.
- The IRS will start sending notices — and no, ignoring them doesn’t make them stop.
- If you still don’t respond, they might file a substitute return for you. Sounds helpful, but it usually means you’ll owe more since it won’t include any deductions or credits you’re actually eligible for.
- From there, the IRS can place liens on property, garnish your wages, levy your bank accounts, or even revoke your passport.
Criminal charges? That’s extremely rare and usually only happens in cases of fraud or deliberate evasion. But let’s avoid going down that road altogether, yeah?
I’m Behind. Now What?
First off, don’t panic. The best thing you can do is file your past-due returns ASAP. Even if you can’t pay right away, filing stops the steepest penalties and shows you’re making an effort.
Here’s your game plan:
- File your taxes — even if it’s late.
- Consult a tax professional (hey, that’s us) to make sure you’re not missing out on credits or deductions.
- Set up a payment plan if needed. The IRS offers options like monthly installments or even Offers in Compromise to settle for less.
- Facing financial hardship? You may qualify for “Currently Not Collectible” status.
The key is acting now. Waiting only makes things worse — and more expensive.
Let’s Make It Easy
At Des Moines Tax, we help clients every day who are feeling overwhelmed, behind, or unsure where to start. Whether you need to file a return, resolve a tax debt, or just get some questions answered, we’re here to help.
📞 Call us at (515) 986-5843 to get started today.
📝 Check out more tips and advice right here on our blog.
The sooner you act, the more options you have — and the less stress you’ll carry into the rest of 2025.