What to do if I haven't filed taxes in the past 2 years - need advice for 2022/2023 unfiled returns

The good news is you recognize the problem and are taking steps to fix it. Here's what you should do: First, file your tax returns ASAP, even if you can't pay the full amount owed. The failure-to-file penalty is typically larger than the failure-to-pay penalty, so filing stops the bigger penalty from growing. After filing, you have several payment options. The IRS offers installment agreements that let you pay over time. For debts under $50,000, you can usually set up a plan online at IRS.gov. The standard plan lets you pay monthly for up to 72 months. If you're facing financial hardship, you might qualify for an Offer in Compromise to settle for less than you owe, or the IRS might temporarily classify your account as "Currently Not Collectible" if paying would create severe financial difficulties. Don't ignore this situation hoping it will go away. The IRS can place liens on your property, levy your bank accounts, or garnish wages if you don't address unpaid taxes.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year - hadn't filed for 3 years and was panicking about what to do. After trying to figure it out myself and getting nowhere, I used https://taxr.ai to analyze my situation and help me understand my options for getting back on track. The tool analyzed my tax documents and showed me exactly what I needed to file for each year, calculated my penalties, and most importantly, showed me how to set up a payment plan with the IRS. It was such a relief to have everything organized and understand what I was facing instead of just worrying about it.

I wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai since I was skeptical at first. After our conversation here, I decided to give it a try for my unfiled 2022 and 2023 returns. Honestly, it was a game-changer. The system helped me retrieve my missing tax documents through the IRS transcript system, calculated what I actually owed (which was less than I feared), and guided me through filing the late returns properly. The best part was that it showed me I qualified for the First Time Penalty Abatement since I had a clean record before these unfiled years. This saved me over $1,200 in penalties! I've already filed both returns and set up a manageable payment plan. Such a relief to have this hanging over my head anymore.

I was in the same boat a few months ago. Filed 3 years late and owed about $15k. After filing, I tried for WEEKS to get through to the IRS to set up a payment plan. Impossible. Phone hell for hours only to get disconnected. Finally tried https://claimyr.com after seeing it recommended. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I was connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying. They helped me set up a payment plan where I only pay $275/month, which is totally manageable for me. Seriously, file your returns ASAP, then use Claimyr to get through to set up your payment plan. Will save you so much time and frustration.

Ok I have to admit I was totally wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still struggling with my own tax situation and decided to try it out of desperation. I was honestly shocked when they called me back in about 15 minutes saying they had an IRS agent on the line. The agent helped me set up a payment plan for my back taxes that fit my budget. The whole process took maybe 30 minutes total instead of the DAYS I'd already wasted trying to call myself. Just having a resolution in place has removed so much stress. If you're putting off dealing with unfiled taxes because of the hassle of contacting the IRS, don't. This service actually delivers what it promises. Wish I'd known about it sooner instead of procrastinating for months.

I've worked as a tax preparer and here's something people don't realize: the IRS is actually pretty reasonable about payment plans. The key is communication! They'd much rather have you filing and paying something than avoiding them completely. One thing to consider - if your income has changed significantly, you might qualify for an Offer in Compromise where you pay less than the full amount. It's not easy to qualify, but worth looking into if you're truly in financial hardship. Whatever you do, don't use those "pennies on the dollar" tax resolution companies you see advertising on TV. They charge thousands upfront and often deliver nothing.

I dunno if this helps but I didn't file for like 4 years and then got hit with a huge bill. I just called the IRS and said I can't pay it all and they put me on a payment plan for like $120/month. Super easy. Just file ur returns and call them.