What Happens When You Have Multiple Years of Unfiled Returns?
If you’ve fallen behind on filing your taxes for multiple years, you’re not alone—and you’re not beyond help. Every year, thousands of Americans find themselves in the same situation. Whether it’s due to hardship, disorganization, or feeling overwhelmed, unfiled tax returns can quickly snowball into serious problems.
The good news? You have options—and with the right guidance, you can get back on track.
Why Filing Is So Important
Filing your tax returns each year isn’t just a recommendation—it’s the law. When you don’t file, here’s what can happen:
Substitute for Return (SFR): The IRS may file a return for you, usually with no deductions, credits, or favorable filing status—leading to a much higher tax bill.
Loss of Refunds: If you’re due a refund, you forfeit it if you don’t file within three years.
IRS Collection Actions: The IRS can issue liens, levies, or wage garnishments to collect unpaid balances.
Penalties & Interest: Late-filing and late-payment penalties stack up quickly, along with daily compounding interest.
Limits on Bankruptcy Relief: Unfiled returns can prevent certain tax debts from being discharged in bankruptcy.
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to untangle the mess.
What the IRS Does When You Don’t File
The IRS doesn’t ignore unfiled returns. Instead, they may:
Send notices demanding payment
File a Substitute for Return (using the least favorable assumptions)
Assess tax, penalties, and interest
Begin enforced collection actions like wage garnishments, bank levies, or property liens
It’s important to remember: the IRS already receives copies of your income documents from employers, banks, and other institutions. Not filing doesn’t mean they don’t know you owe—it just means they’ll move forward without your input.
How King Palm Tax Can Help
At King Palm Tax, we specialize in helping people who haven’t filed in years. We approach your case without judgment—just strategy and solutions.
Here’s how we can help you get back in compliance:
✔ Return Reconstruction – We can pull your IRS transcripts to rebuild missing returns.
✔ Strategic Filing – We’ll identify which years must be filed to bring you into compliance (typically the last six years).
✔ Reduce Your Liability – Accurate filings often show you owe far less than the IRS’s inflated Substitute for Return.
✔ Stop Collections – We can request holds on levies and garnishments while your case is being resolved.
✔ Negotiate a Resolution – From Installment Agreements to Offers in Compromise, we’ll fight for the best outcome possible.
Take the First Step Toward a Fresh Start
Having unfiled tax returns can feel like a heavy burden—but it doesn’t have to define your future. With professional help, you can become compliant, reduce your liability, and move forward with confidence.
📞 Contact King Palm Tax today for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and guide you toward a fresh start.