Each year that passes the IRS gets more and more efficient at catching non-filers. If you have gotten away with not filing a tax return in the past, don’t expect to in the future. Even if you missed the past few years, it is in your best interest to file those returns because the IRS [...]

For the estimated 10 million Americans who requested a tax filing extension with the IRS or their State for the typical April 15th filing deadline, realize that this extension was only good for 6 months or until October 15th, 2009. As you probably know, you had to submit an estimated payment with this extension (if you are self-employed or don’t work for a company) because any filing extension is not an extension to pay but an extension to file. Essentially, an extension would have prevented a taxpayer from incurring any late filing penalties with the State or Internal Revenue Service. For any amount owed though, interest accrued for the amount owed for the last 6 months.