Filing Taxes: Top Ten FAQ

Questions:

• How long should I keep my tax papers?
• How long should I worry if I haven't filed tax returns that I should have filed?
• If I can't pay my taxes, should I file my return anyway?
• Can I get an extension to pay a tax without penalties and interest?
• My state had an amnesty period for nonfilers. Can I ever hope the IRS will have one?
• Who has access to my IRS file?
• Is it true that the IRS pays rewards for turning in tax cheaters?
• What should I do if I don't get my refund?
• Can the IRS charge me interest if I was incorrectly sent a refund and the IRS now wants it back?
• How legitimate are the claims by "tax experts" that you don't have to pay income taxes?

Answer:

How long should I worry if I haven't filed tax returns that I should have filed?

Probably six years. The government has six years from the date the nonfiled return was due to criminally charge you with failing to file. (There is no time limit, however, for assessing civil penalties for not filing. If you didn't file for 1958, you still have an obligation if you owed taxes for that year.) Not until you actually file a return does the normal audit time limit -- three years -- and ­collection time limit -- ten years -- start to run.

Don't overworry about a nonfiled return due more than six years ago if you haven't heard from the IRS. The IRS usually doesn't go after nonfilers after six years. For more information, see Tax Returns: If You Haven't Filed in a While.