Back Taxes & Unfiled Tax Returns – Get Caught Up, Stay Compliant, and Protect Your Finances

When you have unfiled tax returns or owe back taxes, every day that passes increases the risk of penalties, interest, wage garnishments, and even asset seizures. The IRS and state tax agencies don’t forget — and they have powerful collection tools that can drain your bank account and destroy your credit. At Polaris Tax & Accounting, we specialize in resolving years of unfiled returns, negotiating with the IRS, and helping you regain control of your financial life.

Whether you’re behind by one year or ten, we have the expertise to file accurately, minimize what you owe, and protect you from aggressive collection actions.

Why Unfiled Tax Returns Are a Serious Risk

Many taxpayers think if they ignore unfiled returns, the IRS will eventually forget. The truth is the opposite — the IRS keeps those years open indefinitely until you file, and they can:

  • File a Substitute for Return (SFR) using only income data reported to them, without deductions or credits you’re entitled to.

  • Add massive penalties and interest that grow every month.

  • Seize bank accounts, garnish wages, or place liens on your home and business assets.

  • Refer your case for criminal prosecution in severe cases of willful noncompliance.

Our job is to stop the damage before it escalates.

Our Back Taxes & Unfiled Returns Process

We follow a proven, step-by-step approach to get you compliant quickly and strategically:

  1. IRS Transcript Review – We pull your official IRS records to determine exactly which years are missing and what income has been reported.

  2. Penalty & Risk Assessment – We identify exposure to penalties, interest, and potential enforcement actions.

  3. Document Reconstruction – Even if you’ve lost your records, we can rebuild them using bank statements, 1099s, W-2s, and other sources.

  4. Strategic Filing Order – We prioritize filings based on the IRS’s statute of limitations and your financial exposure.

  5. Negotiation & Resolution – Once your returns are filed, we negotiate with the IRS for payment plans, penalty abatements, or settlement programs like the Offer in Compromise.

What Makes Polaris Different

Many accounting firms “just file” old returns. We go further:

  • Licensed IRS Representation – Our Enrolled Agents have national rights to represent you in all IRS matters.

  • Penalty Reduction Strategies – We explore First-Time Abatement, reasonable cause arguments, and other tools to reduce what you owe.

  • Tax Position Optimization – We ensure you claim every deduction and credit you’re legally entitled to, even for prior years.

  • Long-Term Protection – Our IRS Tax Monitoring Service detects future issues before they become problems.

Who We Help

We’ve successfully resolved unfiled tax return cases for:

  • Individual and Self-Employed Taxpayers who fell behind on bookkeeping and quarterly payments.

  • W-2 Employees who thought they didn’t need to file after job changes or unemployment.

  • Business Owners who got caught up in payroll tax issues and stopped filing.

  • Expats & Foreign Income Earners who didn’t realize they had U.S. filing obligations.

  • Heirs & Estate Executors who discovered unfiled returns after a family member’s death.

The Cost of Waiting

Every month you delay increases:

  • Interest charges on unpaid balances.

  • Late filing and late payment penalties.

  • Risk of liens, levies, and garnishments.

  • The chance the IRS files an inaccurate return on your behalf that overstates what you owe.

Taking action now can prevent these consequences and often results in a much better financial outcome.

Your Options for Resolution

Depending on your situation, Polaris can help you:

  • File All Missing Returns – We prepare accurate returns for every unfiled year.

  • Negotiate an Installment Agreement – Structured payments to settle your balance over time.

  • Request Penalty Abatement – Reduce or eliminate certain penalties based on your history or circumstances.

  • Submit an Offer in Compromise – Settle your tax debt for less than you owe, if you qualify.

  • Secure Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status – Temporarily stop IRS collection when you can’t afford to pay.

FAQs About Unfiled Tax Returns

How many years back can I file?
The IRS generally requires the last six years, but they can demand older returns in certain cases.

Will filing late trigger an audit?
Filing late doesn’t automatically trigger an audit — in fact, getting compliant reduces audit risk.

Can you still get a refund for past years?
Yes, but only if you file within three years of the original due date.

What if I can’t afford to pay what I owe?
We can help you set up an installment agreement, request penalty relief, or explore settlement options.

Take the First Step Today

Unfiled returns and back taxes won’t fix themselves — but with Polaris Tax & Accounting, you don’t have to face the IRS alone. Our team will handle every step, from gathering records to negotiating with the IRS, so you can move forward with confidence.

📞 Call us at (704) 947-3178 or
📅 Schedule a confidential consultation today to get started.

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