# Can an ADD diagnosis get you out of paying taxes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 5, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926 "2025-05-05T21:39:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926/1 "2025-05-05T21:39:30Z")
Seems like a longshot to me, but I just had a patient in here insisting that if I write him a letter confirming the diagnosis, the IRS will forgive the various late fees associated with him not having gotten around to filing taxes for the last few years. He definitely has ADD, so I don’t have a problem writing a letter to that effect (My letter would just confirm that the diagnosis exists, not requesting anything in particular be done about it), but I can’t imagine this is going to get him anywhere. Ever heard of anyone using this angle? Getting your teacher to give you extra time on homework is one thing, but I’m guessing the IRS takes a less accommodating stance. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926/2 "2025-05-05T21:41:52Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Seems like a longshot to me, but I just had a patient in here insisting that if I write him a letter confirming the diagnosis, the IRS will forgive the various late fees associated with him not having gotten around to filing taxes for the last few years I broke my leg one year and actually forgot to file that year (filed late). When I explained the situation, I still owed the tax, of course, but they waived the penalties. So, I can believe your patient might bet a one-time break from the IRS. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926/3 "2025-05-05T22:06:17Z")
Yes it can make a difference. Partly because they don’t want bad press (max the milk, min the moo). Partly because it’s easier for them to get things settled quick. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926/4 "2025-05-05T22:24:56Z")
One can request this kind of abatement under the “Reasonable Cause” provision (2pp PDF): [**IRS Form 843 - Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement [IRS]**](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f843.pdf) Relevant instructions and information: > **[About Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement | Internal Revenue...](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-843)** > > Information about Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement, including recent updates, related forms and instructions on how to file. Taxpayers use Form 843 to claim a refund (or abatement) of certain overpaid (or over-assessed) taxes,... ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926/5 "2025-05-05T23:44:24Z")
Teacher here, and I was going to pop in and say what the OP already did, sure extended time to complete an assignment. I have a question about the taxes though. That would be a one time thing, right? Wouldn’t the IRS say, well give you this break, but now that you’ve been diagnosed, you’re under treatment, or some such thing? ---
**Author:** ![EnolaStraight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926/6 "2025-05-06T00:28:11Z")
_The IRS_-“Why didn’t you pay taxes?” _Steve Martin_- “I forgot!” ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926/7 "2025-05-06T16:43:55Z")
And accommodations have to be reasonable. Giving a student and extra 20 minutes on a 40 minute quiz is reasonable. Considering a person can (almost always) start their taxes by February 1st with their W2s, does a person with ADD really need more than 2 1/2 months? Maybe is their taxes were very complex but in that case, even non-ADD taxpayers should be getting some sort of outside help. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926/8 "2025-05-06T17:51:39Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > That would be a one time thing, right? Wouldn’t the IRS say, well give you this break, but now that you’ve been diagnosed, you’re under treatment, or some such thing? They told me the penalty waiver was a one-time thing. I have been very careful ever since. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926/9 "2025-05-06T19:51:01Z")
Yes, you can get penalties waived, **but you still have to pay the taxes**. Only death saves you from taxes- and even so your estate might possibly (if you were _very_ rich) have taxes.