How far back can the IRS claim you owe money?

CBS News ^ | Feb 27, 2025 | Angelica Leicht

[RebelTXRose]

That’s how Capone went to jail…

[wardamneagle]

I thought it was seven years.

I think you’re correct. I was audited last year
and the reply letter showed the past 7 year results.

[PIF]

How far back can the IRS claim you owe money?

—
From birth ...

[where's_the_Outrage?]

Why did you leave?

Because we did things legally and they wouldn't even give her a tourist visa. Tried 3 times for that on then a married visa, all denied. It was easy to get a long term Thai visa for me so I quit work (and paying taxes), and moved to Thailand. Moved back as God gifted us a daughter and we wanted her to speak like an American, it worked. Plus was then able to the wife a tourist visa as both wife and mother of US Citizens.

[Secret Agent Man]

I have also been told seven years.

[mairdie]

>>I heard they may go after Paul Revere because he borrowed the horse he rode and never claimed the value of that freebie on any returns...

Clapping! Made my afternoon.

[Glad2bnuts]

Last time I filed was for fiscal year 2013, I shredded and recycled all of my file in December of 2024. Business accounts, receivables and receipts.

[WASCWatch]

If you file a fraudulent return, the SOL is 7 years. If you just don’t file, it’s 3 years.

Haven’t filed for about 20 years. About 15 years ago, I got two letters from the IRS asking me to sign a contract agreement stating I owed a certain level of tax.

After the second letter, I called. Talked to a young guy and asked him to cite the statute, not an IRS regulation, that required me to pay income taxes; and then I’d be willing to comply. That’s the last I’ve heard from the IRS.

[Dr. Franklin]

Even after the 10 year statute of limitations has expired, save your tax returns that show you filed. You never can be too careful dealing with a government that wants to collect your money.

[minnesota_bound]

The IRS deleted millions of files for the 2021 year and lost cartridges with tax data that were stored by a company that went out of business for earlier years.

[Dr. Franklin]

The IRS deleted millions of files for the 2021 year and lost cartridges with tax data that were stored by a company that went out of business for earlier years.

Right, when the IRS loses tax returns, its still your problem to prove they were filed. Years ago, a family member died who had saved every tax return going back decades. Saving all of the documentation isn't needed after ten years, but keeping the returns is a very wise idea.