f you owe the IRS, your original tax bill might not be the biggest problem—penalties and interest can add up fast. Fortunately, the IRS offers a process called penalty abatement that may reduce or eliminate those added charges.

At Polaris Tax & Accounting in Plantation, FL, we help Florida taxpayers request and secure penalty relief so they can resolve their balances faster and more affordably.

What Is IRS Penalty Abatement?

Penalty abatement is the IRS’s way of forgiving certain penalties for qualifying taxpayers. The most common penalties eligible for relief include:

  • Failure to File (late return)
  • Failure to Pay (late payment)
  • Failure to Deposit (for business payroll taxes)

You may still owe interest, but abating penalties can significantly reduce your total balance.

Types of Penalty Relief

1. First-Time Abatement (FTA)

The IRS offers a one-time administrative waiver for taxpayers who:

  • Have filed all required returns
  • Paid or arranged to pay any taxes due
  • Have no significant penalties for the prior 3 years

This is the easiest type of relief to qualify for.

Learn more in our full blog on What is First-Time Abatement?

2. Reasonable Cause Abatement

If you don’t qualify for FTA, the IRS may still remove penalties if you show that something outside your control caused the problem, such as:

  • Serious illness or death in the family
  • Natural disasters (including hurricanes)
  • Bookkeeping errors
  • Relying on incorrect professional advice

You’ll need documentation to support your claim, and a clear explanation of the timeline and facts.

How Polaris Helps Florida Clients

  • Review IRS transcripts to identify eligible years
  • Draft and submit a complete penalty abatement request
  • Support your case with transcripts, legal citations, and documentation
  • Follow up with the IRS to ensure the request is processed and finalized

We’ve helped clients in Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, and across Florida wipe out thousands in penalties.

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Final Thoughts

IRS penalties can double or triple your original debt. But with the right strategy, you may not have to pay them at all. Let Polaris help you get a fresh start.