Income Tax Debt Discharge Through Bankruptcy

Filing for bankruptcy may allow you to wipe away income tax debts depending on how old the tax debt is. Bankruptcy law has specific rules for the age requirement of your income tax debt. It must meet these requirements be in order to be discharged. The law also includes a few additional requirements.

Timing Rule 1: Tax Return Was Due At Least Three Years Ago

The federal income tax debt that you are seeking to discharge must have been due (including all extensions) at least three years before the day you file for bankruptcy.

Example: You owe taxes on your 2014 and 2015 tax returns. Your 2014 tax return was due on April 15, 2015. To meet the three-year requirement for your 2014 taxes you must file for bankruptcy on or after April 15, 2018. Your 2015 tax return was due on April 15, 2016, but you requested an extension that expired on October 15, 2016. To meet the three-year requirement for your 2015 taxes you must file for bankruptcy on or after October 15, 2019.

Timing Rule 2: Tax Return Was Filed At Least Two Years Ago

The tax return with the debt in question must have been filed at least two years prior to the filing of bankruptcy. Tax debts related to unfiled tax returns are not dischargeable.

Timing Rule 3: Tax Assessment Occurred At Least 240 Days Ago

The IRS must have recorded your liability for the tax debt on its books at least 240 days prior to the filing of your bankruptcy. This is known as a tax assessment. The date you file your tax return is when your related tax debt is assessed. However, on occasion, the IRS can assess additional taxes later based on an audit. When this happens, you must wait 240 days from the assessment to discharge the additional taxes in bankruptcy.

No Fraud or Willful Evasion Requirement

If you committed fraud when filing your income tax returns or willfully evaded paying taxes, your tax debt will not be eligible for discharge in bankruptcy.

Penalties, Interest and Tax Liens

Interest charges and penalties on the underlying tax debt will be discharged if an income tax debt meets the rules and requirements discussed above. If the IRS has recorded a tax lien against your property before you file for bankruptcy, the bankruptcy court cannot set aside your tax lien. After the bankruptcy, if the tax lien has not been paid off, the IRS lien will remain.

Chapter 13 and Non-Dischargeable Income Tax Debt

If your tax debt is non-dischargeable, filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may still help you. It can make the process of paying back your debt easier. A Chapter 13 plan requires that you pay off your non-dischargeable tax debt. You have a period of 3 to 5-years to complete this debt payoff. The plan might offer better terms than an IRS installment plan.

Call or email the Ruben Law Firm anytime for a free consultation regarding your bankruptcy needs. Our telephone number is (410) 766-4044 and email is david@rubenlaw.com. We are available 24 hours a day and ALWAYS respond very quickly. Ruben Law has been handling bankruptcy cases in Maryland for over 25 years. We offer free consultations and look forward to hearing from you.