What are the penalties for late filing and payment of taxes in the United States?

Fines for late filing of tax returns are deliberately set high enough to encourage taxpayers to do everything on time. In addition to this, the IRS may impose additional fines and interest on unpaid taxes, which will further increase your bill. GOBankingRates.

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It is important to make an effort to file your tax return or application for an extension on time. In any case, make sure you are aware of the penalties you may face and seek help with late filing.

Fines for late filing of tax returns

Taxpayers who fail to file their taxes on time are subject to a penalty for not filing a tax return. In addition, if you file a declaration on time, but do not pay taxes, this will inevitably lead to a fine.

How much will you owe for late payment

The penalty for late submission of documents depends on how late you do it. The penalty for being late up to 60 days can be up to 5% of the amount of unpaid taxes every month or part of the month in which you are late, up to 25%. After 60 days, the IRS imposes a minimum penalty of $ 435 or 100% unpaid tax, whichever is less. Taxpayers who are entitled to a refund will not be charged late fees.

The penalty for non-payment is 0,50% every month your IRS payment is late, up to 25%, according to the IRS. But the penalty for non-submission of documents can be reduced to 0,25% if the taxpayer files a return and requests an IRS payment plan in installments to pay off his debt in full.

If both the penalty for non-payment and the penalty for non-filing are applied in the same month, the maximum amount charged for both penalties is 5% per month. Taxpayers can avoid these late filing penalties by filing on time or completing the appropriate paperwork to extend the tax period. But keep in mind that you must request an extension before the tax deadline and you must pay 90% of your tax bill to avoid a penalty for non-payment.

On the subject: Best tax filing software for free

Payment of interest on unpaid taxes

For a taxpayer who owes tax money, interest is calculated on the amount owed in addition to penalties. This percentage penalty is increased daily and is levied at a rate equal to the federal short-term rate plus 3%.

As an example, consider a taxpayer who did not file a 2020 tax return on May 17. Suppose a taxpayer filed his tax return on June 17 and owes the tax agency $ 2000:

• this taxpayer will be fined 5% for each month;
• thereafter, the penalty for non-payment will be assessed at 0,50% every month, including incomplete June;
• Interest on unpaid taxes and compound taxes will be charged daily at a rate 3% higher than the federal short-term rate, commencing the day after taxes are due.

If a taxpayer does not file an application by July 17, that is, more than 60 days late, the taxpayer will be charged $ 435, the lower of that minimum, or 100% of the tax due.

How to avoid a fine

The IRS is allowing taxpayers to extend filing until October 15, and all individual taxpayers can use Free File to request this option. An alternative is to print and mail Form 4868.

During this extension, the taxpayer will not be subject to a penalty for not filing a tax return. However, a penalty for non-payment and interest on unpaid taxes may still be assessed. Even if you are given an extension to file your tax return, you still have to pay your taxes on time.

But if you owe nothing and expect to receive your tax refund, there is no IRS late penalty. In fact, no renewal is required in this case.

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When should taxes be paid in 2021?

The last day to file your tax return is usually April 15, unless that date falls on a weekend or holiday. But this year, taxpayers are getting a temporary reprieve as the 2020 federal tax filing and tax payment deadline has been extended to May 17. The extension applies only to individuals.

Some states may have different filing and payment deadlines. For example, due to natural disaster claims following the February storms in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, residents of these states must file their 2020 returns by June 15th.

Washington DC's observance of Liberation Day and Patriots Day in Maine and Massachusetts gives residents a grace period when tax day off falls. In such cases, there is time until the next business day to file and pay tax. Due to the extended deadlines this year, Emancipation Day and Patriots Day will not affect the 2021 deadlines.

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