A fantastic experience
Working with Luke at Choice Tax service has been a fantastic experience. His commitment to clear communication is what truly sets him apart. I was always impressed by his responsiveness to my questions.
CarlaUnfiled Tax Returns
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What is unfiled tax return preparation?
Unfiled tax return preparation is the process of preparing and filing past-due federal (and often state) tax returns for years you didn't file on time, whether that's one missed year or a decade of returns. The IRS can file a Substitute for Return (SFR) on your behalf if you don't, using only income reported to it and no deductions or credits you may be entitled to, typically resulting in a much higher tax bill than if you'd filed yourself. Getting compliant with all required filings is also a prerequisite for nearly every IRS resolution option, including installment agreements, offers in compromise, and currently-not-collectible status.
Choice Tax Relief obtains your IRS wage and income transcripts to reconstruct your tax history even if you've lost your records, prepares accurate returns for every missing year, and files them with the IRS on your behalf. We review each return for legitimate deductions and credits you're entitled to, which can significantly reduce what SFR-based assessments would otherwise show you owe. Once you're filed and compliant, we help you resolve any resulting balance through an installment agreement, offer in compromise, currently-not-collectible status, or penalty abatement.
Who Needs Unfiled Tax Return Preparation?
You likely need unfiled tax return preparation if:
- You have one or more years of federal or state tax returns that were never filed.
- The IRS has filed a Substitute for Return (SFR) on your behalf and assessed a balance you believe is inaccurate.
- You’ve received IRS notices (such as a CP59 or CP516) regarding missing tax returns.
- You’re missing income records, W-2s, or 1099s needed to file, going back several years.
- You want to apply for an IRS resolution program, such as an installment agreement or offer in compromise, but haven’t yet filed all required returns.
- You’re self-employed and haven’t kept up with annual filing requirements.
- You’re concerned about potential civil or criminal exposure for failing to file.
- You need to become compliant before selling a home, refinancing, or applying for a loan.
The IRS generally requires the last six years of returns to be filed to be considered in full compliance, though your specific situation may call for more or fewer years depending on your circumstances. Filing voluntarily, before the IRS takes further enforcement action, generally leads to a better outcome than waiting for the IRS to file on your behalf or escalate collection efforts.
How Our Process Works
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Pull Your IRS Wage and Income Transcripts
We request your IRS wage and income transcripts for each unfiled year to reconstruct your income history, even if you no longer have your original W-2s, 1099s, or other records.
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Prepare and Review Every Missing Return
We prepare accurate returns for each unfiled year, applying every deduction and credit you're entitled to, and review the results with you before anything is filed with the IRS.
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File and Resolve Any Resulting Balance
We file your completed returns with the IRS, then help you resolve any resulting balance through an installment agreement, offer in compromise, or currently-not-collectible status.
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The Best Tax Relief Attorney & CPA In the Business
Logan and Greg lead a team of experienced tax professionals and support staff to achieve the best possible outcomes for Choice Tax Relief's clients.
Our Clients WIN
Not the "money up front" approach
I interacted with 4 other providers before finding Choice Tax Relief. All the others were offering a "let's get your money up front, then see how this all plays out for you" approach.
Robert
Can't say enough good things
I can't say enough good things about Choice Tax Relief! A special thank-you to Nathan and Luke for their help and professionalism throughout the entire process.
Sara
Stellar company and staff
I highly recommend Choice Tax Relief. Tim & Luke were amazing and professional in getting my taxes done and turned in for multiple years. I will be using them for all my tax filings now and in the future. Stellar company and staff!
JackieUnfiled Tax Returns FAQ's
The IRS generally requires the last six years of returns to consider you in full filing compliance, though your specific circumstances may call for a different number of years.
If you don't file, the IRS can prepare a Substitute for Return (SFR) using only income reported to it, without deductions or credits, which usually results in a higher tax bill than filing yourself would.
You generally have three years from the original due date to claim a refund; after that, the refund is typically forfeited even if you were owed money.
Failing to file is a misdemeanor that can carry criminal penalties in egregious or willful cases, though the vast majority of unfiled-return situations are resolved civilly, especially when addressed proactively.
We can request your IRS wage and income transcripts, which show the income reported to the IRS by employers and payers, to reconstruct your tax history even without your original documents.
Filing accurately prepared, complete returns does not automatically trigger an audit; in fact, filing voluntarily is generally viewed more favorably than having the IRS file an SFR on your behalf.
Yes, but the IRS generally requires all legally required returns to be filed before it will approve an installment agreement or other resolution option.
Once you're filed and compliant, we help you evaluate resolution options such as an installment agreement, offer in compromise, or currently-not-collectible status based on your ability to pay.
In most cases, yes. States typically have their own filing requirements and enforcement actions, and we can help address unfiled state returns alongside federal ones.
Timing depends on how many years are involved and how quickly transcripts and records can be obtained, but we work to prepare and file returns as efficiently as possible.
An SFR is a tax return the IRS prepares on your behalf when you fail to file, using only third-party reported income and standard deductions, typically overstating what you actually owe.
Yes. You can generally file your own accurate return to replace an IRS-prepared SFR, which often reduces the assessed balance once your actual deductions and credits are applied.
Yes. Unaddressed unfiled returns can lead to SFR assessments, liens, levies, wage garnishment, and other enforcement action, which is why addressing them proactively is important.
Other Tax Relief Services
Installment Agreement Negotiation
Need more time to pay? We negotiate an installment agreement with the IRS calculated for an affordable, sustainable monthly payment based on your financial circumstances.
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Currently Not Collectible Status
If paying the IRS would prevent you from meeting necessary living expenses, the IRS may temporarily suspend active collection. We prepare and present the financial case required to demonstrate hardship.
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IRS Levy Release
A bank levy or wage levy can create an immediate financial crisis. We communicate with the IRS, evaluate available collection alternatives, and work to obtain a levy release when the facts support one.
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Penalty Abatement
IRS penalties can substantially increase a tax balance. We determine whether you may qualify for relief based on compliance history, reasonable cause, or another applicable IRS procedure.
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Tax Relief
f you need immediate relief from IRS collections, call us today. You’ll get affordable, transparent pricing and a clear plan for the best possible tax debt settlement. Let the most trusted tax relief team lift the weight off your shoulders.