Falling a year—or several—behind on filing taxes happens more often than you think. Illness, job loss, paperwork chaos, or plain old procrastination can leave anyone staring down a growing pile of unopened IRS letters. The good news? No matter how many years you’ve missed, there’s a clear path back to compliance. Let’s break it down.  

Stop the Spiral of Avoidance  

Ignoring the IRS doesn’t make them forget. Penalties and interest continue to snowball. Opening every notice is the first courageous step toward resolution.  

Gather the Essentials  

Can’t find W-2s or 1099s from three years ago? No problem. With your signed authorization, we pull Wage & Income Transcripts directly from the IRS, which list all documents filed under your Social Security number. We’ll also request Account Transcripts to confirm what the IRS thinks you owe.  

Prioritize the Last Six Years  

The IRS generally requires the most recent six years of returns to be filed for you to be considered “in compliance.” Our professional software contains every historical form going back nine years, allowing precise reconstruction—even when tax laws changed mid-stream.  

Identify Refund Opportunities  

You might think the IRS only waits to collect, but refunds can be lost forever after three years. By filing delinquent returns quickly, you may capture money the IRS would otherwise keep. We’ve seen clients reclaim thousands in over-withheld taxes and unused credits. 

Develop a Payment or Settlement Strategy  

Once all returns are filed, we tally the true balance. If you can’t pay in full, options include installment agreements, partial-pay plans, or an Offer in Compromise. We prepare the financial analysis, handle all negotiations, and keep you informed every step.

Avoid the Common Pitfalls

• Filing without transcripts/leads to mismatch letters and audits.

• Ignoring state taxes/many states move faster than the IRS on collections.

• DIY before talking to a pro/errors can double your liability.  

Your Next Move

Schedule a complimentary “Back-Tax Breakthrough” call with Herij Taxes. 

We’ll map your filing gaps, retrieve IRS records, and give you a clear timeline and cost estimate...no judgment, just solutions. The sooner you act, the more options you have.