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Owe the IRS Money? How Long Do They Have to Collect?
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Article Highlights:Statute of LimitationsFiling Before April Due DateFiling After April Due DateExtensionAmended ReturnsThree-year StatuteUnderstatement Exceeds 25%No Filing or FraudTen-year Collection PeriodTax RecordsState Statutes of LimitationHave you ever wondered how long the IRS has to question and assess additional tax on your tax returns? For most taxpayers who reported all their income, the IRS has three years from the date of filing the returns to examine them. This period is termed the statute of limitations. But wait – as in all things taxes, it is not that clean cut. Here are some complications:You file before the April due date – If you file before the April due date, the three-year statute of limitations still begins on the April due date. So filing early does not start an earlier running of the statute of limitations. For example, whether you file your 2021 return on February 15, 2022, or April 15, 2022, the statute does not start running until April 18, 2022 (that’s not a typo). The due date for 2021 returns was delayed from April 15 to April 18 because of a holiday in the District of Columbia (Emancipation Day) and a weekend, and the April 18th date applies even if you don’t live in DC. But there’s a further exception for residents of Massachusetts and Maine, the due date for 2021 returns is April 19, 2022, because of a holiday observed in both of those states. So, for residents in these two states, the statute of limitations for 2021 returns begins on the 19th.You may recall that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the IRS extended the original due date to May 17, 2021 for 2020 returns and to July 15, 2020 for 2019 returns. As a result, the statute of limitations for refunds expires May 17, 2024 for 2020 returns and July 15, 2023 for 2019 returns. You file after the April due date - The assessment period for a late-filed return starts on the day after the actual filing, whether the lateness is due to a taxpayer’s delinquency, or under a filing extension granted by IRS. For example, say your 2021 return is on extension until October 17, 2022, and you file on September 1, 2022. The statute of limitations for further assessments by the IRS will end on September 2, 2025. So the earlier you file those extension returns, the sooner you start the running of the statute of limitations. If you want to be cautious you may wish to retain verification of when the return was filed. For electronically filed returns, you can retain the confirmation from the IRS accepting the electronically filed return. If you file a paper return, proof of mailing can be obtained from the post office at the time you mail the return.You file an amended tax return – If after filing an original tax return you subsequently discover you made an error, an amended return is used to make the correction to the original. The filing of the amended tax return does not extend the statute of limitation unless the amended return is filed within 60 days before the limitations period expires. If that occurs, the IRS generally has 60 days from the receipt of the return to assess additional tax.
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Tax and Financial Insights
by NR CPAs & Business Advisors
2026 IRS Mileage Rates: Key Updates and Insights
The IRS has rolled out the inflation-adjusted mileage rates for 2026, offering taxpayers an efficient way to claim deductions for vehicle-related expenses incurred for business, charity, medical, or moving purposes. These adjustments reflect the continued economic shifts impacting car operation costs.
Effective January 1, 2026, the new standard mileage rates are established as follows:
- Business Travel: Increased to 72.5 cents per mile, inclusive of a 35-cent-per-mile depreciation allocation. This marks a rise from the 70 cents per mile rate set for 2025
- Medical/Moving Purposes: Reduced slightly to 20.5 cents per mile, down from 21 cents in the previous year, reflecting the variable cost considerations.
- Charitable Contributions: Consistent at 14 cents per mile, a fixed rate unchanged for over a quarter-century.
As is typical, the business mileage rate considers the integral fixed and variable costs of automobile operation. Meanwhile, the medical and moving rates remain contingent on variable expenses as determined by the IRS study.
It is critical to note that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) held firm on disallowing moving expense deductions except for specific cases within the Armed Forces and intelligence community, marking a substantial shift since 2017.
When engaging in charitable work, taxpayers might opt for a direct expense deduction over the per-mile method, covering gas and oil costs. However, comprehensive upkeep and insurance costs are non-deductible expenses.
Business Vehicle Use Considerations: Taxpayers can alternatively compute vehicle expenses using actual costs, which might benefit from shifting depreciation rules, particularly through bonuses and first-year advantages. Keep in mind, however, reverting from actual cost calculations to standard rates in subsequent years is restricted, particularly per vehicle protocol and when exceeding four vehicles in concurrent use.
Additionally, parking, tolls, and property taxes attributable to business can be deducted independently of the general rate, an often-overlooked advantage by many business owners.
Tax Strategies for Employers and Employees: Reimbursements based on the standard mileage framework, providing the right documentation is in place, remain tax-free for employees. Meanwhile, the elimination and continued prohibition of unreimbursed employee deductions continue, with particular exceptions offered to qualified personnel across specific occupations.
Opportunities for Self-employed Individuals: Entrepreneurs remain eligible for deductions on business-related vehicle use via Schedule C, with potential to account for business-use interest on auto loans.
Heavy SUVs and Deduction Advantages: Heavier vehicles exceeding 6,000 pounds but under 14,000 pounds open opportunities for substantial tax deductions through Section 179 and bonus depreciation avenues. The lifecycle of such a vehicle bears implications on recapturing initially claimed deductions, urging cautious tax planning.
For professional guidance on optimizing your vehicle-related tax deductions and understanding their implications on tax strategies, contact our office in Coral Gables, Florida, where expert advice and strategic insights are just a call away.
Educator's Deduction Reform: Key Changes Under OBBBA
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces significant enhancements for educators' tax deductions starting in 2026, offering both strategic opportunities and planning considerations for educators who qualify. With the reinstated itemized deduction for qualified unreimbursed expenses, educators have a broader spectrum of financial relief. This is complemented by the retention of the $350 above-the-line deduction, allowing educators to maximize their tax benefits by selectively allocating expenses between these avenues.
Understanding the nuances of these changes is crucial for educators and financial advisors alike. The dual-option deduction strategy can potentially enhance tax efficiency, thereby aligning with broader financial planning goals.
At NR CPAs & Business Advisors, based in Coral Gables, Florida, our expertise in tax preparation and planning provides invaluable support to educators navigating these changes. Our comprehensive approach, combined with personalized advice from our experienced team, ensures compliance and optimization in line with the latest tax legislations.
Given these updates, it is imperative to engage with seasoned professionals to fully leverage your deduction strategies. Contact us today to streamline your tax planning under OBBBA's new guidelines and maximize your deductions for upcoming tax years.
