This time of year many people don’t have enough money to pay their taxes and aren’t sure how it should be handled. Perhaps you’ve gone years without filing an Income Tax Statement at all – and now you’re ready to play catch up. DebtPrison.Net doesn’t offer legal advice. The information found in this article is available on various websites across the web. The correct answer to ‘Can I go to jail for not paying my taxes?’ is……yes you can. But there are ways to avoid time in prison. Overall, the best strategy is to file an income tax form and let the IRS know that you cannot pay the money at this time. At least they are aware that you cannot pay the money and they know that you know… just be up front.
**Disclaimer – Debtprison.net does not administer legal or financial advice. The contents of this website are my opinions on collection agencies and how to deal with them. Nothing on this website should be interpreted as legal advice or council. No opinions on this website should be used to replace the advice of your financial advisor or your legal council.
Do I have to pay a Federal Income Tax?
You may not have to pay an Income Tax, but you do have to file an Income Statement – like IRS Form 1040 if you received any income in the prior year which is taxable. State and Federal Laws are set up to bring criminal charges against you for failing to pay income taxes. In the United States you have to file a Federal Income Tax Statement if you received earned income. So if you only receive Social Security payments, you don’t have to file an Income Tax Statement. In most states you also have to file a Resident Individual Income Tax Form, like this one.
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Perhaps you’ve heard some people say that you don’t have to file an Income Tax Statement. Some people say the IRS is illegal, unconstitutional, and downright unfair. Although all of these things may be true – you will still go to jail for failing to file – if the IRS can prove that you purposely failed to pay your required tax. These would be criminal charges and you could serve time.
What you should do
If you have earned income…….file a 1040, even if you end up owing tax and can’t pay. I highly recommend turbotax, it’s online and I use the free edition – costs nothing to use and you can file electronically. If you can’t pay it’s alright, you can pay later. One of my good friends is currently behind, he owes the IRS $500.00 bucks from 2006, he hasn’t paid them yet, but is paying them back this month.
Chances are there is an IRS office located at the local Federal Building in your home town. There are IRS professionals there who can help you fill out the correct forms and set up a payment plan if needed.
Make sure you are honest
Many people get in trouble because they failed to report all of their income to the IRS in a prior year. Or perhaps you took some deductions that you legally weren’t entitled to (claiming your brother’s kids as dependents – and he’s claiming them too). If you lied on a previous Income Tax Statement it better be an honest mistake. If it appears to be a mistake the IRS may let you off with taxes and penalties. But if the IRS finds a pattern of income deception (trying to hide income) you may end up paying in more ways than one. You could serve time in prison and end up paying the tax back.
You haven’t filed in years and think they forgot about you?
Don’t make this mistake. If you ever worked for a business that filled out any paperwork when you were hired – the IRS has a record of your employment and income with this employer. Your name, like many, is flagged in the IRS database as an Income Tax Evader. Believe me they are simply giving you enough time to hang yourself. Then they come galloping in with audits, penalties, and criminal charges. Why take that chance? If you are years behind walk into your local IRS Office, sit down and have an honest discussion with them. It’s better if you come to them first.
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* Can you go to jail for not paying your debts?
WHY ARE THEY NOT GOING AFTER ALL THE PEOPLE WHO COME HERE ILEGAL AND DO NOT PAY TAX NOT IN JAIL? LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE LEGAL! TELL ME WHY THAT IS.
“I think its crap that my babies daddy does file taxes and doesn’t pay child support and it totally sucks cuz he gets away with everything!!!!”
What a load of $%&T!!!!! I spent 15 years trying to figure out why the &^%$# court system in this country would rather put the father in jail than tell the wife to go to hell!!! The father should have the kids. The ex-wife should go to work and try to support herself and earn money for her own rent!!! The dumbass ex is the one I divorced, not my kids!
FYI: I did not cheat… she did! I did not decide to divorce, she did! She was from the midwest and a complete moron… duh!! I should have gotten my kids. They should not have gone to goofball incorporated and I should not have been required to provide for her life, boyfriends and BS for 15 years!!!!!
This country is F%$$#ed Up!
Paying child support is a duty as a parent. Starting a new life with such a large debt hanging over ones head is impossible for most. However, there is a way to resolve (I said RESOLVE) the issue with no extra out of pocket cost, and in many cases, you get to choose what you can comfortable afford while the one receiving the funds gets the FULL allotment. The fed doesn’t like the structure, but who cares what they like? The children need to be supported. .com
The way to get around taxes is to own nothing, but have control of everything. If your home is being paid for, your vehicle, your medical, etc., then all you need cash for is eating out, and un-necessary items. And, paying taxes on that small amount is insignificant. The fed doesn’t like it, but there is nothing they can do about it as long it is setup correctly.
Now, for those that want to pay IRS taxes, then generate the funds to pay them which are over and above what you earn. And, YES there is a way without investing. .com
I think its crap that my babies daddy does file taxes and doesn’t pay child support and it totally sucks cuz he gets away with everything!!!!
There is no excuse to be stuck working a minim wage job and barely making it when we live in the land of opportunity. Anything less than your best is lathargic and worthy of not having means to live life to the fullest. Sorry buddy. Try again.
The guy above me says poor people don’t pay taxes. hahaha He’s full of it. I make minimum wage and and I pay about 23% of my check to the goverment. And if there are refunds that’s probably because we can’t survive without it unlike the rich who have plenty so they don’t have to worry about a refund in order to have electricity etc. Taxes however is another name for theft b/c the government steals your money. No one willingly hands over their hard earned money. They say it’s for your own good. Screw that. Even if you build a road so that I can drive on it- it’s still theft. I didn’t ask for you to build a road. If I steal 10 grand from you and buy you a car with it I still took it against your will regardless of what I did with it. Theft is theft even if I get some (little) benefit from it. I don’t owe the government anything , but they can still throw me in jail for not letting them steal my money ,because they have an army which I pay for. Oh the irony.
NO…………. COMPANIES THAT HIRE YOU AS A “”INDEPENDENT CONTRactor”" evade taxes by shifting the tax burden to the hapless employee who have no other options due to the invasion of the usa. the employer legally escapes workers comp if you get hurt oh well your a ic if you accidentally hurt someone else they can sue you as a ic. the small business escapes unemployment the ic gets none and the ic gets NO OVERTIME JUST STRAIGHT WAGE. THEN THE EMPLOYER GETS HIS GOVERNMENT WELFARE BY RECIEVING A 100 PERCENT DEDUCTION ON EQUIPTMENT HE BUYS SAY 100K GETS 33K TAX CREDIT OFF THE BACK OF THE $10/hr IC
Poor people don’t pay taxes, they all get refunds.
I watched Freedom to Facism a long time ago. It’s good. However, it doesn’t change the fact that nearly always in a court of law a jury/judge will not here the plea that the income tax is unconstitutional, etc, etc…
http://tinyurl.com/yjkw2e4 – watch this video and see if you want to revised your content on blog.