You Can Write Off Some Income Taxes with Bankruptcy

Posted by Andy Toth-Fejel on November 11, 2018 under Bankruptcy Blog | Be the First to Comment

Chapter 7 vs. 13 for Income Taxes

Thinking that the only way to handle your income tax debts in bankruptcy is through Chapter 13 is a misunderstanding of the law. It’s an offshoot on the broader error that you can’t write off taxes in a bankruptcy.

Both are understandable mistakes.

It is true that some taxes cannot be discharged (legally written off) in bankruptcy. But some can.

And it is true that Chapter 13 can be the best way to solve many income tax problems. But that does not necessarily mean it is the best for you. Chapter 7 might be better.

When Chapter 13 Is Better

Chapter 13 tends to be the better option if you owe a string of income tax debts, and especially if some are relatively recent ones. That’s because in these situations Chapter 13 solves two huge problems in one package.

First, if you owe recent income taxes which cannot be discharged, you are allowed to pay those taxes over the term of your Chapter 13 plan (up to 60 months) usually avoiding most penalties and interest that would have accrued during the term of the plan. That can be a huge savings.  Moreover, you can often hold off on paying anything towards the back taxes while you first pay even more important debts—such as back child support.

Second, if you have older back taxes, under Chapter 13, you pay these taxes as general unsecured debt under your plan.   If you complete all payments under your plan and otherwise satisfy the requirements of Chapter 13  any remaining older taxes are discharged; i.e., wiped out.

When Chapter 7 is Better

But you don’t need the Chapter 13 package if all or most of your income tax debts are dischargeable. In that situation, the generally much simpler Chapter 7 could be enough.

So, what makes an income tax debt dischargeable under Chapter 7?

The Conditions for Discharging Income Taxes

To discharge an income tax debt in a Chapter 7 case, it must meet these conditions:

1) 3 years since tax return due: The tax return for the pertinent tax must have been due more than three years before you file your Chapter 7 case. Also, if you requested any extensions for filing the applicable tax returns, add that extra time to this three-year period.

2) 2 years since tax return actually filed: Regardless when the tax return was due, you must have filed at least two years before your bankruptcy is filed in court.

3) 240 days since “assessment”: The taxing authority must have assessed the tax more than 240 days before the bankruptcy filing.

4) Fraudulent tax returns and tax evasion: You cannot file a “fraudulent return” or “willfully attempt in any manner to evade or defeat such tax.”

These four conditions and the procedure for utilizing them are a bit complicated.  Therefore, we advise that you retain an experienced bankruptcy attorney to assist you.