Taxpayers who owe the Internal Revenue Service are well aware that interest on unpaid tax accumulates daily. This usually results in a ballooning tax bill that places a further financial burden on many taxpayers. Though many delinquent taxpayers would like nothing more than to be able to deduct interest payments from their income tax returns, it is generally not possible to do so.
Income tax deductions allow taxpayers to deduct the expense of certain items against their income on their returns, thus decreasing a filer's overall tax liability. Filers who choose to itemize their deductions use schedule A to list their deductions for allowable costs incurred during the tax year. Those who take deductions on their income tax return must maintain records that substantiate the deductions included on their returns.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
Deductibility of Interest
Interest and penalties paid to the IRS are not deductible on your income tax return. The IRS assesses penalties and interest to encourage voluntary compliance with IRS rules and guidelines. Interest is assessed to penalize taxpayers and prevent further infractions. It wouldn't make much sense for the IRS to turn around and refund the penalty that it assessed. The IRS allows for the deduction of mortgage and student loan interest because it encourages a behavior believed to be beneficial to the country. A deduction for interest on income tax could be seen as an encouragement to taxpayers who don't follow IRS rules.
Considerations
The IRS does remove interest in rare circumstances. In cases where interest was assessed incorrectly due to a liability that was not assessed by the IRS in a timely manner, assessed on an erroneous refund, disregarded for a period of time due to a taxpayer's service in the military or due on tax that was assessed while a taxpayer was in a disaster, the IRS will consider removing the interest. To request an abatement of interest, complete IRS form 843 and mail it to the IRS office where you are required to file tax returns. If you are not sure which office processes returns for your area, consult the IRS website for a full list of service centers. Form 843 can be downloaded from the IRS website or ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM.
Warning
According to the IRS, taxpayers should be wary of firms that propose to settle their combined tax debt (tax, penalties and interest) for pennies on the dollar. These firms charge large amounts to file an Offer in Compromise with the IRS on behalf of the taxpayer that, if approved, can lower a taxpayer's debt. There are strict criteria for the approval of OICs, however, and no outside agency can guarantee approval.