Since you failed to file a tax return, the IRS files one for you. You owe back taxes as a result. When the IRS files a return on your behalf, they file it in whatever way results in the maximum amount of taxes due. They don’t give you any deductions or credits, and chose the filing status which results in the highest amount of tax possible. This method almost always results in the IRS overestimating the amount of tax you owe (sometimes by quite a bit). If you received a CP51A, it is important to prepare and file accurate tax returns for the years in question so as to get your liability down to where it should be. If you don’t respond to this notice, the IRS will eventually start trying to collect the tax they say is due.
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