The deadline in the United States has passed. April 15, 2025 was the deadline for filing tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and those who did not do so on time are now facing financial consequences that may grow month by month. Skipping this obligation doesn’t just mean delaying a refund: it can also mean paying more than you should.
For many taxpayers, filing a tax return was a mere formality, even an opportunity to get money back. But for others, it meant a debt to the tax authorities that is now complicated. From the day after the deadline, the IRS activates a system of automatic fines, which penalize both failure to file and non-payment.
So, if you didn’t file on time or if you know someone who keeps putting off the process, it’s key to know what the penalties are and what can be done to minimize the damage. The more time that passes, the higher the cost of the delay.
IRS penalties for filing taxes late in 2025
The IRS applies two main types of penalties: one for not filing the return on time and another for not paying the taxes due. Both are added together and can generate a considerable cost if action is not taken quickly.
These are the most common penalties:
- Fine for not filing the return: This is 5% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of the month in which it is not filed, with a ceiling of 25% of the total due.
- Fine for not paying on time: This is 0.5% per month on the total outstanding, also up to a maximum of 25%.
- Cumulative interest: In addition to fines, the IRS collects interest on the amount owed, calculated at a variable rate that is adjusted every quarter.
If the return is entitled to a refund and no tax is owed, no penalty is applied. But if the IRS was due to receive money and nothing was filed, the cost of that silence multiplies. The penalties are harsher the longer the action is delayed.
What to do if you did not file your Tax Return to the IRS on time
If you have not yet filed your 2024 Tax Return, the first thing you should do is act as soon as possible. Even if the deadline has passed, each additional month adds new penalties. Filing now will reduce the overall impact of the fines.
In many cases, it is possible to negotiate a payment plan with the IRS to cover the debt in installments. There is also the option to request a reduction or elimination of fines if it is the first time a mistake has been made or if reasonable cause for the delay can be demonstrated, such as illness, loss of documents or a natural disaster.
If you were entitled to a refund and did not claim it, you have up to three years to do so. But if you have a debt, it is wiser to file as soon as possible, even if you cannot make payment immediately. The IRS would rather have a cooperative person than one who disappears.