The IRS has 3 years to audit most returns, 6 years if you omit 25%+ of gross income, and unlimited time for fraud or unfiled returns — here's what each window means for your record-keeping strategy and audit risk.
The IRS has no grace period for unfiled returns—failure-to-file penalties run 5% per month up to 25%, the statute of limitations never starts on an unfiled return, and refunds expire after three years. Here's what the enforcement timeline looks like and how to get back into compliance.
Check your IRS balance using 5 methods—online account, phone, notices, transcript, or in-person—then choose the right path: pay in full, set up a payment plan, or apply for penalty abatement. Covers 2026 penalty rates and collection timelines.
Tax filing costs in 2026 range from $0 with IRS Free File (AGI ≤ $89,000) to $2,500+ for CPAs handling complex returns—covers all four filing options, what drives costs higher, and five ways to reduce your bill.
A step-by-step guide to filing a federal tax extension with Form 4868 or 7004 — including how to estimate what you owe, avoid failure-to-pay penalties, and meet the safe harbor threshold to prevent underpayment charges.
A practical guide to calculating income tax liability for sole proprietors, LLCs, S-corps, and C-corps—covering 2026 tax law changes including the 23% QBI deduction and 100% bonus depreciation, plus 7 strategies to legally reduce what you owe.
Independent contractors pay a 15.3% self-employment tax plus federal income tax on net profit. This guide covers quarterly estimated payment deadlines, every major Schedule C deduction, and year-round bookkeeping habits to minimize what you owe.
Fewer than 0.5% of returns are audited each year, but unreported income, consecutive business losses, and disproportionate Schedule C deductions can dramatically raise your odds. Here are the 10 most common IRS audit triggers—and how to keep your records audit-ready.
The 2026 IRS standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile—a $14,500 deduction for 20,000 business miles. This guide covers which miles qualify, how to choose between the standard rate and actual expense method, what your mileage log must contain, and the mistakes that get deductions disallowed.
The IRS First-Time Penalty Abatement program can eliminate failure-to-file, failure-to-pay, and failure-to-deposit penalties for taxpayers with a clean 3-year compliance history — no documentation required, often approved in a single phone call.
Take control of your finances with our open-source double-entry accounting system. Start your ledger today.
© 2019 - 2026 Beancount.io
