Many taxpayers are surprised to learn this: if you never filed a tax return, the IRS can legally go back forever. There is no statute of limitations on unfiled returns. The clock only starts once a return is filed. So why does the IRS talk about a 6-year rule? Because while the IRS can  demand every unfiled year, they generally don’t. The 6-year rule is an IRS administrative policy, not a legal limit—but it matters when you’re trying to get back into compliance. No Statute of

For many taxpayers, the idea of owing the IRS can feel intimidating — and the thought of extra penalties and interest makes it worse. But...