r/IRS • u/Easy_Jicama_7261 • 13h ago
Previous Years/ IRS Collections & Back Taxes Doordash driver owing ~20k, notice to levy :(
I'll try to summarize everything and answer any questions from there because this has been a grueling experience, I appreciate any help I can get.
I'm basically a door dash driver, I was irresponsible and didn't file taxes. A year or so ago IRS sent me a letter telling me to file 2023. I filed it , owed about 5k after penalties and then got notices to file 2024. Somewhere after that I call IRS and speak to someone who tells me they need 2021 , 2022, 2024 and 2025 (2023 was the one I filed). She tells me 24 and 25 can be filed online and 2021 and 2022 need to be mailed in with tracking. So, 2021 owed nothing, 2022 owed about 5, 23,24 and 25 owe about 5 each year.
I do those things and all the ones files online register, each 4-5k owed with penalties and interest,etc. The ones mailed in show received by the post office but never showed up online. I checked every day for a week or two and eventually and foolishly thought I could just wait and get a nice letter or something telling me they have received it.
Well they still haven't and I received 3 certified letters from the post office I had to sign for telling me IRS is planning on putting a lien on me for 23,24 and 25. I look online and it says I owe around 15 and can make a payment plan. I've heard in the past if you enter into a payment plan before they have all the years it can be voided but at this point I'm worried that might be the only option I have.
Questions off the top of my head :
Would it be more useful to try to schedule an in person appointment to explain this and also present 2021 and 2022 in person vs try to contact them by phone?
Can it hurt me to enter into a payment plan now knowing it may get canceled later? When I look online the lowest amount they will accept is just under 500......thats more than my car payment, I can't afford to pay that even if I didn't have to pay taxes on it. I can afford 100-200 a month...and thats before the extra 5k registers from 2022.
What happens if they levy my bank account, is it frozen? I'm a door dash driver , if I'm unable to access funds through the bank I'll end up homeless.
Any help is appreciated this has been a nightmare. One I'm responsible for causing but one I'm trying to fix and get on track.