How much do I owe the IRS and how can I find out my total tax debt?

You can find out exactly how much you owe the IRS through several methods. The fastest way is to create an account at IRS.gov and view your tax transcript online, which shows your balance for each tax year including penalties and interest. You can also call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040, though wait times can be long. Another option is to file Form 4506-T to request a transcript by mail. A tax professional with Power of Attorney (Form 2848) can also pull your full account transcripts directly from the IRS Practitioner Priority Service line, which is often the most efficient method. Your total balance will include the original tax owed, failure-to-file penalties (up to 25% of unpaid tax), failure-to-pay penalties (up to 25%), and interest that compounds daily. Many taxpayers are surprised to find their total debt is 40-60% higher than the original amount due to these additions.