The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a series of alerts in the run-up to the tax filing season for the year 2025. As is the case every year, individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations in the United States must file their returns to account for income from the previous tax year. However, on this occasion, the agency is emphasizing changes and confirming fines that could affect both those who are late and those who include incorrect information. Below, we detail the main errors that can lead to penalties, how to avoid them, and what to do to protect any refunds you may be entitled to.
This is the deadline for filing your 2025 tax return
According to official IRS information, the filing deadline for most taxpayers is April 15, 2025. If more time is needed, an automatic extension can be requested, extending the filing deadline to October 15, 2025. It is important to emphasize that this extension does not postpone the date of payment of taxes owed: any outstanding amount must be settled before April 15, otherwise interest and surcharges will be applied.
The IRS emphasizes that those who do not file the corresponding documentation before the deadline are subject to penalties and, potentially, the loss of certain benefits or refunds, such as the Recovery Rebate Credit or specific deductions.
Confirmed penalties for the 2025 return
According to official guidelines, the main penalty for not filing a return on time (failure to file penalty) for the 2025 calendar year is USD 635, provided that the return is filed after the established deadline and is more than 60 days late. This minimum amount can increase significantly if the failure to file extends over several months.
The IRS specifies that the penalty for not filing the return is calculated as a percentage (5%) of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month that it is late, up to a maximum of 25% of the total owed. In addition, if, as well as filing late, the corresponding payment is not made, this is combined with the “Failure to Pay Penalty”, which continues to accrue until it reaches a further 25% on top of the original amount.
Common mistakes that can be penalized
- Not filing on time: Filing after April 15, 2025 without requesting an extension can result in heavy fines. The IRS emphasizes the importance of using online tools or professional advice to avoid delays.
- Not paying taxes owed: Even if the return is filed on time, failure to pay all or part of the amount due by the deadline incurs additional interest and penalties. Negotiating a payment plan through the official IRS website can help reduce the impact of these penalties.
- Including incorrect information or under-declaring income: By omitting income or recording inaccurate data, taxpayers expose themselves to more exhaustive reviews by the IRS. In some cases, these discrepancies can be attributed to simple errors; however, the agency can impose considerable fines in the event of detecting intentionality or repeated negligence.
- Claiming credits or deductions without meeting requirements: Attempting to benefit from refunds, credits (such as the Recovery Rebate Credit) or deductions without meeting the criteria established by law can result in penalties. The IRS warns that individuals who engage in these practices may permanently lose access to certain benefits and face increasing fines if they do not pay within the required timeframe.
How to request an extension and avoid penalties
For those who are unable to file before April 15, the automatic extension until October 15, 2025 can be requested directly on the IRS portal, without the need to justify the request. However, we reiterate that this does not postpone the obligation to pay. Ideally, as much of the tax debt as possible should be paid before the original deadline to reduce interest and avoid increased penalties.
If they do not have the necessary resources, taxpayers can negotiate a payment plan with the IRS. This option allows them to pay the debt in installments and avoid excessive surcharges, provided that the agreed conditions are met.
Available assistance programs and resources
The IRS offers free tools such as Free File, designed to simplify the filing process and focused on taxpayers with simple returns. There are also assistance programs such as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), which provide help to low- and moderate-income individuals, older adults, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency.
The agency also recommends verifying the accuracy of personal data, such as the Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), before sending the documentation. An inconsistency can trigger internal alerts, cause delays in refunds and even trigger audits.
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