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Penalty Abatement · Updated May 2026

Quick Taxes: Penalty Abatement

Quick Taxes: Penalty Abatement
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Fresh Start Initiative
Fresh Start Initiative
America’s Tax Relief Network
Home Fresh Start Program IRS Notices Taxpayer Problems Articles About Check Your Eligibility
Call us directly (888) 665-4416
✓ Editorially independent Reviewed by licensed CPAs Read by 2M+ taxpayers in 2025 Updated monthly $1.2B+ in tax debt resolved 100,000+ Americans served Partner firms are BBB A+ rated only Licensed in all 50 states ✓ Editorially independent Reviewed by licensed CPAs Read by 2M+ taxpayers in 2025 Updated monthly $1.2B+ in tax debt resolved 100,000+ Americans served Partner firms are BBB A+ rated only Licensed in all 50 states
Tax Guide · Updated June 2021
Quick Taxes: Penalty Abatement

TL;DR: The IRS has various penalty abatement programs for those who qualify. The penalties that are eligible for relief include the following: Failure to File Penalty, Late Payment Penalty, Underpayment of Estimated Tax Penalty, and Accuracy-related Penalties (including underreported in This guide explains who qualifies, the rules that apply, and how to apply them to your situation.

The IRS has various penalty abatement programs for those who qualify. The penalties that are eligible for relief include the following: Failure to File Penalty, Late Payment Penalty, Underpayment of Estimated Tax Penalty, and Accuracy-related Penalties (including underreported income or overstated deductions). These penalties can be costly and time consuming if not properly addressed. Find out more about these IRS penalty abatement programs and if you qualify!

IRS Penalty Abatement

The fourth program is Penalty Abatement. This status suspends the collection of late-payment penalties and prevents levy/garnishment actions taken by the government when a taxpayer cannot pay their tax debt in full, or even at all. The government will also not attempt to collect any interest that has accumulated on your account since you first became a CNC account. This program is different from Currently Not Collectible, because penalty abatement suspends penalties and interest on the debt, whereas CNC is simply the IRS terminating their attempts to contact and seek collection from you.

Who Qualifies For IRS Penalty Abatement?

A taxpayer qualifies for Penalty Abatement if they are unable to pay their tax debt due to an economic hardship. This is defined as a circumstance outside of the taxpayer’s control that prevents them from meeting financial obligations, such as loss of employment or significant reduction in income. If you tried to comply with the law but were unable to pay your tax responsibilities due to circumstances beyond your control, you may be eligible for penalty relief.

Penalties

The following are penalties eligible for penalty relief:

  • Failing to file a tax return
  • Failing to pay on time
  • Failing to deposit certain taxes as required
  • Other penalties as applicable

Types of Penalty Relief

The IRS offers different types of penalty relief:

  • Reasonable Cause
  • Administrative Waiver and First Time Penalty Abatement
  • Statutory Exception

IRS Fresh Start Program

Penalty Abatement also happens to be one of the four major components in the IRS Fresh Start Program. There are many programs that are offered in order to solve your tax-related issues in some sort of way. But there is a new and improved relief program that consolidates many major relief programs into a one-size-fits-all assistance program; The IRS Fresh Start Program.

This program is designed to relieve not only the IRS, but also your back taxes. It does this by making sure you are filing accurately and gives up-front payment options solutions for those who can’t afford their tax debt payments. This relief program utilizes four of the major tax resolution strategies into one consolidated program!

See if you qualify for the Fresh Start Program today!

Resolve your tax debt before the IRS surprises you with late fees and penalties!

  1. Answer a few questions
  2. Qualify and be presented with a resolution – click here
  3. Enroll in Fresh Start

You can click here to be connected with a verified partner of IRS Fresh Start Initiative

Need Help With Back Taxes?

Contact a tax specialist today to explore how to reduce, resolve, or eliminate your back taxes with the IRS Fresh Start Program.

Call us directly at (888) 665-4416 or click the link below.

Check Your Eligibility →
Fresh Start Initiative is an independent editorial resource covering IRS tax debt relief. We do not provide tax advice or representation and are not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. When you request a consultation, we connect you with a licensed, A+ BBB-rated tax relief firm from our vetted network — matched to your situation. Individual results vary.
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