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Tax Attorney with Offices Serving New Jersey, NYC & South Florida    Call: (561) 531-8809
Verni Tax Law
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Unfiled Tax Returns

You are here: Home1 / Professional Services / Areas of Practice2 / Unfiled Tax Returns
  • Unfiled Tax Returns 1

Every Year You Don’t File Gives the IRS More Room to Investigate!

Based in New Jersey and Florida and serving all 50 states, we help individuals and businesses bring filings current, fix past mistakes, and stay protected from IRS action before it costs you your income, assets, or peace of mind.

Get Closer to IRS Relief with One Consultation

Every unfiled return isn’t just a delay!

It’s the starting point the IRS can use against you

  • Unfiled Return

    You skip a filing year, thinking you’ll handle it later or it won’t be noticed.

  • Substitute Filing by IRS (SFR)

    The IRS files a return on your behalf, without deductions, credits, or context, showing you owe more than you actually do.

    Substitute Filing by IRS (SFR)

  • Penalty Notices

    Late filing and late payment penalties start stacking up, increasing your balance month after month.

  • Refund Holds/Account Freezes

    Any future refund you’re entitled to may be withheld, and your bank accounts can be flagged or frozen.

    Refund Holds/Account Freezes

  • Wage Garnishment & Tax Liens

    The IRS doesn’t wait. They can seize a portion of your paycheck and place a lien on your property.

  • Multiple-Year Review

    Your other past returns come under scrutiny. A single missed year often leads to a full investigation of several.

    Multiple-Year Review

  • Audit Trigger

    Any inconsistency or gap is now a red flag. An audit may be initiated, demanding documents and explanations.

  • Criminal Tax Investigation

    If the IRS believes your non-filing was willful, your case may be referred to Criminal Investigation (CI), leading to prosecution, fines, or even jail time.

    Criminal Tax Investigation

Get Closer to IRS Relief with One Consultation

Still Think the IRS Will Forget?

It’s Exactly the Opposite.

The longer you wait, the more records they build. And when they act, they move fast, putting everything you’ve built over the years at risk.

Get the Best Plan, Protection, Relief, and Representation from an individual law firm led by a licensed CPA and tax attorney, giving you dual expertise in one experienced voice.

Start Your Free Tax Review Today

Our Solution-Driven Approach

Full-Depth Case Review

Not just a glance at your tax history. We evaluate your financial records, IRS notices, and prior filings with both a legal and accounting lens, identifying risks others miss.

Strategic Filing Unfiled Tax Returns

We don’t just file to get it done. Every return is prepared with precision, maximizing allowable deductions, correcting past missteps, and avoiding legal red flags that could trigger an audit.

Total IRS Representation

From day one, you never have to speak to the IRS alone. We respond, represent, and negotiate directly, whether the issue is tax debt, substitute filings, or potential fraud review.

Enforcement Defense with Legal Standing

When garnishments or levies hit, financial expertise alone isn’t enough. We combine tax insight with legal authority to pause collections and file formal relief requests quickly and effectively.

Audit Risk Reduction at the Root

Audits don’t just come from numbers—they come from patterns. We eliminate the weak points that IRS agents look for while staying prepared to represent you if the audit begins.

Long-Term Safeguards that Hold Up in Court

It’s not just about this year. We set you up with a plan that’s clean, compliant, and defensible, no matter what happens next.

You’re Not Alone, And You’re Not Too Late

Whether it’s been one year or ten, we’ve helped clients in far more serious situations find clarity, correct their records, and avoid further IRS damage.

You don’t have to know where to start. You just need the right tax attorney-CPA duo to take it from here.

Book a 1-on-1 Confidential Tax Review

Relief Options That Can Still Work in Your Favor

Voluntary Disclosure Program

If you haven’t filed for several years or have offshore accounts, this is your chance to come forward before the IRS comes after you. We guide you through the entire process safely, confidentially, and with attorney-client protection.

Fresh Start Initiative

If tax debt results after filing your missing returns, this initiative helps reduce or restructure what you owe. Whether it’s Offer in Compromise, Installment Agreements, or Penalty Abatement, we determine what’s possible and handle every step.

Streamlined Filing Compliance

Ideal for non-willful taxpayers with foreign income or accounts. We help correct unfiled returns while minimizing penalties before it escalates into something more serious.

Audit & Enforcement Relief

From wage garnishments to bank levies, pending audits, passport restrictions, and asset seizures, we know how to stop aggressive IRS action and negotiate relief while we get your returns filed.

Amended Returns & Protective Filings

If the IRS filed a Substitute Return (SFR), we can replace it with a corrected return that reflects your true deductions and income, potentially saving you thousands.

Get the Relief You Qualify For, And the Support You Actually Need

We believe in doing it right from the very beginning. That’s why we start by reviewing your case thoroughly—so we can find the best IRS relief option that fits your situation.

The IRS offers these programs, but getting approved takes more than just applying. It takes someone who understands how the IRS evaluates financials, eligibility, and intent.

And if one relief option doesn’t fit your situation, we pivot to the next best one, without losing momentum.

When the IRS denies your qualification, we don’t stop. We challenge their financial determinations, file appeals, and push back through every legal and procedural channel available.

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Don’t Let Uncertainty Be the Reason You W

Every day you don’t act, the IRS gets further ahead. But one clear conversation can change the direction you’re heading.

You don’t need all the answers right now.
You just need one focused call with someone who’s handled this hundreds of times before.

Let’s talk - before this gets harder to undo.

FAQs

How long do I have to file unfiled tax returns?

There’s no statute of limitations for the IRS to assess taxes on unfiled returns—the clock doesn’t start until you file. If you’re owed a refund, you typically have only three years from the original due date to claim it. After that, it’s gone. We help you prioritize which years to file first to protect refunds and limit your exposure.

Can I go to jail for not filing tax returns?

Yes, but only in rare, willful cases. Most people with unfiled returns face financial penalties, not prison. Jail time is typically reserved for those who intentionally evade taxes or commit fraud. If your situation is complicated, having an Individual Law firm on your side early can help reduce the legal risk and handle any government inquiries properly.

What happens if I never file my tax returns?

The IRS can file on your behalf through a Substitute for Return (SFR), which usually overstates your tax bill. Then come penalties, interest, collection notices, and potentially wage garnishment or bank levies. Filing unfiled tax returns voluntarily puts you back in control and helps prevent these actions.

How much does it cost to file old tax returns?

That depends on how many years you’re behind, how complex your financials are, and whether reconstruction is needed. But not filing can cost more—penalties, interest, and inflated balances from IRS-filed SFRs add up fast. We offer a clear breakdown of costs upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

Can the IRS file my tax returns for me?

Yes, through a Substitute for Return. But these filings leave out deductions, dependents, and credits, often making you owe much more than you should. We replace SFRs with accurate filings that reflect your actual income, expenses, and tax situation.

How far back can the IRS audit unfiled returns?

There’s no limit to unfiled tax returns. The IRS can go back as many years as they want until you file. Once you do, a standard 3-year audit window usually begins. We help you file strategically, reduce audit risk, and prepare a solid defense in case of review.

What documents do I need to file old tax returns?

Ideally, W-2s, 1099s, and any relevant income and deduction records. But if those are missing, don’t worry—we use IRS transcripts and other reconstruction methods to prepare your filings accurately. Our team handles both the accounting and legal sides to make sure filings are complete and compliant.

Can I get a refund on old tax returns?

Yes, but only if you file within three years of the original due date. After that, the refund is forfeited, even if it was legitimately owed to you. We help you identify refund-eligible years and file those first to protect what you’re still entitled to.

How do I file 5 years of unfiled tax returns?

Start with a plan. We review your IRS records, gather documents, and create a filing timeline that makes sense. Some years may require paper filing, others electronic. We manage the process step by step so nothing falls through the cracks.

What is the penalty for not filing taxes for 3 years?

The failure-to-file penalty is typically 5% of the unpaid tax per month, up to 25%. If you also owe tax, there’s an additional failure-to-pay penalty and daily interest. Filing unfiled tax returns quickly can stop penalties from growing and open the door to possible relief programs.

  • Unfiled Tax Returns
  • FBAR Penalty Representation
    • FBAR Penalty Mitigation
    • FBAR Penalty: Willful Failure to File
    • FBAR: Foreign Bank Account Report
    • FBAR: Quiet Disclosure
    • FBAR: Reasonable Cause Defense
    • Streamlined FBAR Compliance
    • United States v. Zwerner
  • Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program
    • FBAR: Quiet Disclosure vs. OVDI
    • OVDI Lawyer for Federal Tax Crimes
  • FATCA Compliance Representation
  • IRS Audit Risk Assessment
  • Offshore Tax Evasion Cases Old
    • IRS Combats Offshore Tax Evasion
    • Offshore Tax Evasion: The Risks
  • Civil Tax Litigation
  • Tax Considerations for Immigration
    • Immigration Attorneys: Estate Tax Issues For Wealthy Immigrants
    • Wealthy Foreigners Coming To America – Is It Worth It?
  • old Tax Fraud & Tax Crimes
    • Case Studies on Income Tax Prosecutions
    • Employment Taxes and the IRS Crack Down on TFRP
  • old Offers in Compromise
    • The IRS Offer In Compromise
  • IRS Installment Agreements
    • Paying Taxes in Installments
  • Federal Tax Liens & Tax Levies old
  • old Unfiled Taxes / Failure to File Tax Returns
    • The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion-Form 2555, Lessons Learned
  • Trust Fund Recovery Penalties
    • How to Properly Classify Company Employees to Avoid the TFRP
    • IRS Trust Fund Recovery Penalty & Personal Liability

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