First Time Penalty Abatement With the IRS

Published by Doug Chaffins at March 14, 2017

About Us

First Time IRS Penalty Abatement Tax Season

If you’ve received a letter from the IRS notifying you that a penalty has been assessed to your individual or business account, the situation may not be as bad as it seems. That’s because in some cases, the IRS will remove the penalty – but only if asked to do so.

This first time penalty abatement – or waiver – isn’t very well publicized, but your certified public accountant can apply for this relief on your behalf. If the request is erroneously declined, your CPA can also appeal the decision.

This IRS penalty waiver can apply in some cases of failure-to-file, failure-to-pay, or failure-to deposit penalties. It doesn’t apply to every type of penalty, however.

Conditions you’ll have to meet

In order to qualify for a first time penalty abatement, you’ll need to meet the following conditions:

  • You’ve filed all required returns – or filed a valid extension for them. You also can’t have an outstanding IRS request for a return.
  • You’ve paid or reached an agreement with the IRS to pay your taxes that are owed.
  • You haven’t received an IRS penalty in three years. If you’ve had one longer ago than three years ago, the IRS considers the new penalty as first time.

In some cases, you may have a reasonable cause (including a fire, natural disaster, serious illness, etc.) that caused the problem with your taxes, and if this is the case, your CPA can apply for a waiver for this reason. Even if you qualify for a first time IRS penalty abatement, if you have reasonable cause, you may want to exercise this option instead. That’s because it will allow you to “save” your first time penalty abatement in case you need to use it in the future.

If you need help

For more information about first time IRS penalty abatement, contact Atlanta-based certified public accountants Fricke & Associates, P.C.  We have years of experience in dealing with taxing authorities and will help you achieve the best possible outcome.

 

Explore Our Blog

We have set ourselves up as leaders in the industry to educate our audience on relevant topics in the accounting world.

Film & TV Tax Liabilities for Independent Contractors

September 1, 2023 by William T. Fricke

Independent contractors in the film and TV industry face unique…

Read more

How Fricke & Associates Serves the Film & TV Industry

August 1, 2023 by Doug Chaffins

The film and TV industry’s tax and accounting needs are…

Why Trust the Experts When Filing Taxes for the Film & TV Industry

July 3, 2023 by William T. Fricke

The process can be overwhelming and confusing when filing taxes…

We can help

If you need a bookkeeping professional for Small businesses in Atlanta, GA, Fricke & Associates, LLC. We have the expertise and experience to understand your needs, analyze your financial data, promote your growth, and ensure your financial future is set on a successful path. Additionally, we are a leader in developing and implementing the latest technology for optimizing accounting, tax, and financial planning solutions.

Join Our Email List

Enter your email address to stay up-to-date on recent tax laws and receive helpful tips!