My accountant filed over 60 days late and now I have $2,300 in penalties.

Interesting. I'd present it to him and ask him to make good. If he refuses, you could take him to small claims court. Make certain you have evidence to refute any excuses he might try to make for why it's your fault. That might be difficult, of course. How do you prove when you gave him the information he needed?

What type of tax return are you speaking about, and for what year? And when did this occur? Was there also a problem with a state tax return? ChEAr$, Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

The IRS might be willing to cancel the penalties if he takes the blame. You're stuck with the interest no matter what (though perhaps you can get him to pay it, it's probably a lot less than the penalties). Seth

Why not just call him and see what he says? You might be pleasantly surprised.

-- Drew Edmundson, CPA Cary, NC

It's difficult to give an advice for such a problem: maybe we need to know HOW MUCH your accountant asks to be paid for his work. Maybe your accountant has disregarded to your files because he considered you a low-profile client. (but this does NOT justify his behavior) I think that the only way to compensate the penalties is to ask a sale on his fees for the next two or three years.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

I pay him $250.00 to do my personal taxes and another $425 to do my corporate taxes. I still have not called, I wanted to be prepared so I asked my wife for the return receipt we received when she sent our tax info to him many months ago. Well, she lost it. I then checked my phone bills for the time I was calling him (before the deadline) and they do show many calls to his office. I will call tomorrow.