Failing To File Your Tax Return Is A Crime

Most people have heard of the civil money penalties and interest for failing to file their tax returns: the failure to file penalty and the interest that is owed on the amount that they did not pay. They think that the worst thing that can happen is that they have to give the IRS more money when they finally straighten things out.

Warning: it is a crime to not file your return.

Wesley Snipes found out this out the hard way. Wesley Snipes is reported to have originally have been charged with federal tax fraud and conspiracy as well as the charges for failing to file a return. He was convicted of failing to file his returns for three years. 26 USC §7203 states that willfully failing to file a tax return is a misdemeanor federal offense  and those convicted shall be fined not more than $25,000 ($100,000 in the case of a corporation), or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, together with the costs of prosecution. Snipes continues to appeal his conviction.