What is the IRS really adding to what I owe?
Give me the balance and a couple of dates, and I'll estimate the failure-to-file penalty, the failure-to-pay penalty, and the interest stacking on top. It's an estimate — but it's usually the number people are most afraid of, and it's often the most negotiable.
Everything here is computed in your browser. Your balance and dates never leave this page and are never sent to me.
Interest here compounds daily on the balance only. Real IRS interest also compounds on the penalties and uses the actual quarterly rate for each period, so treat this as a close-but-not-exact estimate. Rates current as of 2026-07-05; the IRS sets interest quarterly — verify against IRS for your period.
The penalties are often abatable. If you filed and paid on time for the 3 years before this one, first-time abatement (FTA) will frequently remove the failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties entirely — not reduce them, remove them. That's the first thing I check, because it's the cheapest win on the board.
Penalties are often abatable. Let me check if you qualify before you pay them.
This is an educational estimate, not tax advice, and does not create a client relationship. Figures are approximate. For advice on your specific situation, book a consult.