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:

My state had an amnesty period for nonfilers. Can I ever hope the IRS will have one?

Maybe -- the idea is frequently kicked around in Congress. However, the IRS has always opposed tax amnesty legislation, which lets nonfilers come forward without being criminally ­prosecuted or civilly fined. The IRS's reasoning is that after the amnesty period expires, significant numbers of people won't file, expecting another ­amnesty. Based on the success of various states trying, the IRS may be wrong.