Requirements

Filing requirements are based on filing status and income. Consult IRS Publication 501 to determine if you met the filing requirements for the tax year in question (see Resources).

Significance

If you skip a year of filing, then you may be subject to penalty and interest assessments by the Internal Revenue Service. However, this is only true if you owed tax.

Effects

Taxpayers who met the filing requirements but have not filed a return are not in compliance with the law. Therefore, you should file a return as soon as possible.

Considerations

Taxpayers are only allowed to file current year returns online. So, if you skipped a prior year return and are required to file, then file a paper return and mail it to the IRS. Include any payment of tax owed, plus penalties and interest. If you cannot afford to pay the tax in full, include Form 9465 to request an installment agreement.

Warning

Penalty and interest begin to accrue from the date the return was due, not the date it was filed. To request a penalty abatement, complete IRS Form 843.