I did not file taxes last year, what do I do?

If you did not file taxes last year then you are either not required to file or you are required but failed to file. In either case, the IRS may start the Tax Delinquency Inquiry or TDI process on your federal income tax returns. By this process, the IRS will either demand that you pay the delinquent taxes you owe the IRS or explain why you are not required to file taxes. Either way, you are likely to receive a notice or letter from the IRS. So, if you did not file taxes last year, don't panic yet. The IRS just wants to know why you did not file taxes.

I did not file taxes last year, should I write a letter to the IRS?

When the IRS sends you a letter demanding either delinquent taxes be paid or an explanation, you should write a letter back to the IRS. If the IRS asks for an explanation, you should give it to them politely but firmly. You do not want to put the IRS off, assuming you do have an explanation of why you did not file taxes last year. If the IRS demands that you pay the back tax, you can still challenge the IRS politely that the information they have is in error. You must demand that the incorrect information be corrected at once.