The 10th Circuit rules

  • Tax

The 10th Circuit rules

The 10th circuit court rules reprimand that the tax debt may not be exempted for the client under Chapter 7 if the income tax return is filed late. Income tax return debt can be discharged under chapter 7. However, it needs to fall under certain criteria. The income tax returns are a mandatory procedure that citizens of the USA need to follow every year. Tax debts can be huge, and the clients may seek discharge. You can visit Recovery Law Group for good advice.

The income tax return debt can be discharged under Chapter 7 when-

  1. The tax debt is income-based for either State or Federal.
  2. The income tax return was last filed 3 years before applying for bankruptcy.
  3. The debtor filed the last return 2 years before applying for bankruptcy. This is under discussion in the 10th circuit rules. Whether to consider 2 years as late for filing a tax return to avail discharge in a bankruptcy case filed under chapter 7 bankruptcy.
  4. The income tax department must have evaluated the client’s tax returns 240 days before filing for bankruptcy.
  5. The debtor must be true and not dodging the tax laws by not filing at all or filing a fraud or dupe return.

What does file of late tax return mean under the 10th circuit rules?

When the client files his tax return 2 years before applying for bankruptcy it is considered as a late return. However, this point is still debatable and is under modification stage. A tax return is considered a late return when the IRS files a substitute return when all the debtors’ filing dates are expired. Apparently, a tax return may not be considered late if the IRS files the substitute tax return with acknowledgment of the debtor.

The 10th circuit court rule may not consider the tax return ‘late’ payable 2 years prior the filing of bankruptcy if a substitute returns is filed with acknowledgment under Internal Revenue Code Section 6020(a). The client’s tax debt can be exempted as per the 10th circuit rule if the client is within this parameter.

The final verdict

Since, it’s still debatable, the case may go to the US Supreme court for the further outcome. However, for now, it is established that the tax return is late if the IRS files a substitute tax return within 2 years of applying for bankruptcy. Subsequently, the client will not acquire discharge on tax debts, even under chapter 7. You can receive more information by calling on-(888-297-6203).


    2023-01-12T09:20:52+00:00