Back Taxes Help
Unfiled or unpaid taxes don’t just disappear — they grow, often turning into overwhelming penalties, interest, and IRS collection actions. For many taxpayers in New York, back taxes become a constant source of stress, impacting both personal finances and business operations. The good news? You don’t have to face this alone. Our CPA team specializes in helping individuals and businesses resolve back tax issues by filing overdue returns, negotiating realistic installment agreements, and requesting penalty abatements. With the right strategy, you can stop looking over your shoulder and finally move forward with confidence.
Why Resolving Back Taxes Matters
It’s tempting to put off unfiled or unpaid taxes, especially when the balance feels unmanageable. But the longer you wait, the more costly it becomes. Penalties and interest compound over time, IRS liens can affect your credit and ability to borrow, and collection notices can escalate to wage garnishments or bank levies.
Our role as CPAs is to break this cycle. We don’t just file your missing returns — we analyze your full situation, determine the most strategic way to catch up, and negotiate directly with the IRS to minimize the financial damage. By taking proactive steps now, you not only reduce penalties but also show good faith, which can make the IRS more willing to work with you.
What’s Included
Filed and corrected back tax returns prepared by professionals
Installment agreements that make repayment manageable
Penalty reduction or abatement requests, saving you money
Negotiations handled directly with the IRS — you don’t have to face them alone
A clear, strategic path forward to regain financial stability
We Help With
Years of unfiled tax returns that keep adding up
IRS collections, liens, or threats of enforcement
Overwhelming penalties and mounting interest charges
Fear of criminal exposure due to long-term non-filing
The stress of not knowing where to start or how to fix it
Explore More Audit Support Services
Back taxes are often just one piece of a larger tax challenge. That’s why our Audit Support category includes a full range of services:
- IRS Audit Representation — defend your interests in front of the IRS or state auditors
- Voluntary Disclosure Agreements (VDAs) — resolve past tax exposure discreetly
- Managed Audit Programs — cooperate with state programs while protecting your interests
- Reverse Audit (Refund Recovery) — recover overpaid sales and use taxes
FAQs: Back Taxes Help
A CPA helps you avoid overpaying taxes and build a strategy that supports your financial goals. Here’s what you need to know about tax filing, planning, and audit representation —whether you’re in New York or anywhere in the US.
What happens if I ignore back taxes?
Ignoring back taxes is one of the most costly mistakes a taxpayer can make. Penalties and interest compound every month, which means even a small debt can grow into something unmanageable over time. In addition, the IRS has powerful collection tools — they can issue liens against your property, garnish wages, or levy bank accounts. Waiting also signals to the IRS that you are unwilling to cooperate, which makes negotiating relief or abatements much harder later. Taking action quickly, even if you can’t pay the full amount, shows good faith and often leads to more favorable outcomes.
Can penalties and interest on back taxes be reduced?
Yes, in many cases penalties can be reduced or even removed through what’s known as a penalty abatement request. The IRS considers factors such as your compliance history, whether the failure to pay was due to reasonable cause, and whether you’ve taken steps to correct the issue. While interest is harder to eliminate (since it’s tied to the balance owed), reducing penalties can significantly cut your overall liability. Our CPA team knows how to frame your case to maximize the chance of approval.
What if I can’t afford to pay my back taxes in full?
You don’t need to pay everything at once to resolve your situation. The IRS offers several repayment options, including installment agreements that spread payments over time. In some cases, taxpayers may qualify for an Offer in Compromise — essentially settling for less than the full amount owed. The key is knowing which option you qualify for and negotiating the terms effectively. Without representation, taxpayers often agree to payment plans they can’t sustain, which leads to default and further penalties. With CPA support, you get a repayment strategy designed for your reality.
Will filing years of missing returns get me into more trouble?
Filing late returns may feel risky, but in reality, it’s almost always better than letting them remain unfiled. The IRS often assumes the worst if no return is filed and may create a “substitute for return” on your behalf — which usually overstates your tax liability. By filing your own accurate returns, you regain control of the numbers, and in many cases the actual liability ends up being lower. Filing late also opens the door to negotiating payment arrangements and abatements, while unfiled returns only keep penalties growing.
How far back can I file returns?
The IRS typically requires the last six years of returns to be filed in order to be considered compliant, though they may request more depending on your situation. If you’re owed a refund on an old year, you usually have three years to claim it before it expires. Beyond that, the refund is lost even if you were overpaid. This makes it critical to act quickly — every year you wait could mean losing money you’re entitled to, while adding more exposure to penalties and collections.
