Do you have to pay taxes after ten years?

Answer 1

The IRS has a ten year statute of limitations to collect taxes, generally. This ten year clock starts running when the tax is originally assessed (when you file a return). I say generally because there are a lot of things that can stop that ten year clock from running. Simply put, if there are any circumstances that prevent the IRS from collecting the clock stops. This can include filing bankruptcy, filing certain appeals with the IRS, filing a law suit against the IRS, submitting an Offer in Compromise, etc. Even being out of the country for more than six months stops the clock (no sense in running to Mexico).