Penalty Abatement
A review of whether penalties on your account may qualify for relief, and how a request is usually supported.
Request a ConsultationWhat this service is
Penalties can make a tax balance grow faster than expected. Tax authorities have procedures that may allow penalties to be reduced or removed in certain circumstances.
Whether a request is appropriate depends on the type of penalty, your compliance history and the reasons the penalty occurred. A request is a request, not an entitlement.
When it may be relevant
- A late filing or late payment penalty was added to your balance.
- A serious illness, disaster or other event affected your ability to comply.
- You have a long history of timely filing and payment before a single lapse.
- A notice shows penalties and you want to understand how they were calculated.
What can affect eligibility or suitability
- The penalty type and the tax years it relates to.
- Your filing and payment history in prior years.
- The facts and documentation supporting the reason for the lapse.
- Whether the underlying returns are filed and balances are being addressed.
What the process looks like
Review the notices
We look at which penalties appear on your account and how they arose.
Assess options
Possible approaches are explained, including the documentation that would support a request.
Prepare the request
If you engage us, the request is prepared and explained to you before it is submitted.
Follow through
Responses are reviewed and the next steps are discussed with you.
Questions about penalty abatement
No. Some penalties may qualify for relief and others may not. Eligibility depends on the facts and the applicable requirements.
Interest is generally treated differently from penalties. If a penalty is removed, related interest may be adjusted, but that depends on the case.
Timing varies with the type of request and the tax authority's workload. We do not promise a specific timeline.
Other services
Tax Advisors United is a private business and is not affiliated with the Internal Revenue Service or any government agency. Available options and outcomes depend on individual circumstances and applicable requirements. No specific outcome is guaranteed.
Let’s Understand Your Options.
Tell us about your situation and we will respond with a clear view of what may be possible.