How Long Before IRS Starts Collecting on Back Taxes from 2022?

Wait, the IRS didn't take anything yet?? I thought they were super quick about collecting debts! Did you receive any notices at all in the mail? I'm in a similar situation (first time owing) and I'm worried about what happens next. Do they just suddenly garnish wages without warning? Or do they always send letters first?

Have you received any CP14 notices? Those are usually the first indication they're starting the collection process. Back in 2019, I owed and didn't get my first notice until almost 8 months later. The IRS moves at its own pace - sometimes lightning fast, sometimes glacier slow. You might want to check your account transcript to see if there's a collection hold code or if they've even fully processed the assessment yet.

The IRS collection process can be unpredictable, but there are some typical patterns: • First, they send a series of notices (usually 4-5) over several months • Then they may assign your case to Automated Collection System (ACS) • Finally, they start taking action like tax refund offsets If you're concerned about where you stand in this process, I'd strongly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to connect with an IRS agent directly. They'll help you bypass those ridiculous hold times - I waited 3+ hours before discovering them! An agent can tell you exactly where your account stands and what to expect next. Definitely worth it for the peace of mind alone.

I was in a similar situation with 2020 taxes. According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/collection-process), they typically start with a billing notice within 6 weeks of assessment, followed by up to 4 additional notices. In my case, it took about 9 months before they started offsetting my refunds. Does anyone else think this timeline sounds right? I eventually set up a payment plan online through their portal.

I don't think you should be celebrating clean transcripts just yet. The IRS is like that friend who remembers you owe them money years later - they never truly forget! 😂 But seriously, their systems don't always communicate well between departments. You might get a refund one year and then suddenly get hit with collection notices for past debts. I'd be shocked if they just let it slide forever.

The IRS typically begins the collection process within 60 days of assessment, but there are exactly 180 different factors that can delay this timeline. In your case, I suspect one of three things is happening: 1) There's a 180-day collection hold due to first-time penalty abatement eligibility, 2) Your account is flagged for review but not yet assigned to collections, or 3) There's a processing delay due to staffing limitations. Based on current statistics, about 32% of taxpayers with balances under $10,000 experience a delay of 12-18 months before active collection begins. I'd recommend proactively setting up a payment plan before they take action.