Filing past due returns prior to the IRS contacting you, is the best way to reduce the possibility, of a criminal investigation.

If there has been an illness, or loss of life, in your immediate family, you can call the IRS, and explain, the circumstances. The IRS will still want you to file the returns, however, they will give you a set amount of time, to file the past due tax returns, before continuing with the collection process.

If you have not filed due to depression, contact your doctor and get a written statement. This will help to explain to the IRS, why your taxes have not been filed. If you are taking prescribed medicine, let the IRS know.

If you have had problems with alcohol, or drugs, this too, can help the IRS, understand, your non-filing, status.

If you have moved, several times in the past years, the IRS, may not have a current address on file for you. Just because, you haven’t heard from them, doesn’t mean that your name and federal tax I.D., hasn’t shown up, in the IRS computer.

If you are working, the IRS, knows where you work. If you have a savings account, the IRS, knows where your savings account is located. If you have a home mortgage, the IRS knows, how much you pay in mortgage interest each year. Depending on the IRS’s calculations, on how much you owe, you could have a Revenue Officer knocking at your front door.

The IRS will complete a Substitute Return, based on the information from third parties, such as your Employers, Banks and other Financial Institutions. This Substitute Return can be used to levy your bank account, and, or garnish your wages, and is almost never, prepared, in the taxpayer’s favor.

Usually, Substitute Returns, wage garnishments and or bank levies, is how the IRS handles, non-filers, however, a Criminal Investigation, is not, out of the question.