Do You Have Delinquent Taxes?

Delinquent taxes occur when you are late in filing your tax return. While you may have been late or delinquent in filing a tax return, an extension can save you from having delinquent taxes.

You lose the right to your refund if you do not file your return within three years of the date the tax return was due.

You do not need to file a tax return if you did not meet the tax return filing requirements.

IRS tax return filing requirements depend upon your age, your income, and your filing status. For example, if you were single and under age 65 in 2009, and you had wage income under $9,370 and that was your only income, then you did not have a filing requirement for the 2009 year. NOTE: Any person with $400 or more of gross self-employment income MUST file a tax return, even if there is no tax due on the return. In addition, you might benefit by filing a return that is not required if there is a refund on the return.

The due date for filing your tax return is usually April 15. If you are submitting a return by mail, the return must be postmarked by or on April 15. If you are submitting a return electronically, you must have had your return submitted on April 15 before the clock reaches midnight; otherwise you will have delinquent taxes.

If you have filed an extension* of time request before April 15, the deadline for the two-month extension is June 15; for the six-month it is October 15. December 15 is the latest possible discretionary extension deadline for out-of-the-country taxpayers.

Due dates that fall on a weekend or federal holiday are delayed until the next business day.

If you have a filing requirement and you fail to submit a tax return by the due date, then you have delinquent taxes.

When you have delinquent taxes, you owe the IRS penalties and interest on top of the original amount owed. In the worst case, a portion of your wages could be garnished and your assets could be taken away to satisfy your debt.

* It should be noted that extensions grant you extra time to file and will save you from late filing penalties. Extensions however do not save you from late payments, penalties and interest, which start accruing as of April 15.