Q: Can you go to jail for taxes being filed many years late?
A:
Tax fraud (which is not necessarily the same thing as late filings) MAY result in jail time. For most people, jail time does not occur. Penalties, interest, and payment of prior tax amounts are a guarantee, but you can also set up a payment plan (i.e. the IRS will not take your entire paycheck and leave you homeless...).
If you know that you owe back taxes, it is better to contact the IRS (via filing returns) versus the IRS auditing you (this may allow certain taxpayer protections). You may want to retain a tax professional prior to filing late prior returns (either can review your situation and provide guidance).
Timothy Canty agrees with this answer
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