It is your responsibility to timely file all federal, state and local tax returns both prior to and after the filing of your Chapter 13 Petition.  The Chapter 13 Trustee will not complete or file your tax returns for you.  If your tax returns have not been filed or become delinquent during the course of your Chapter 13 plan, you may lose the protection of the Bankruptcy Court as your case may be dismissed.  During the life of your plan, the Chapter 13 Trustee may periodically request copies of your federal, state and local tax returns.  It is your responsibility to provide those documents when requested by the Trustee.  If you experience issues with filing your tax returns, please contact your attorney.

Some Chapter 13 Plans require debtors to pay into the plan their federal tax refunds.  If tax refunds are required in the plan as payments, it will be stated on your confirmed plan.  If your plan requires tax refunds to be paid into the plan as additional payments, then you must timely submit a filed IRS Tax Return (Form 1040) each year to the Chapter 13 Trustee.  Please contact your attorney with any questions regarding whether your plan requires that your tax refunds be paid to the Trustee.  If you were not required to file a tax return during a plan year, please contact your attorney regarding the appropriate course of action for compliance with your plan.