The IRS often imposes steep penalties for filing tax returns late, failing to pay taxes on time, or not depositing employment taxes correctly. However, several strategies can help you get those penalties removed—and in some cases, even refunded if you have already paid them.

Nobody wants to spend their whole life looking over their shoulder, wondering if the IRS will audit them. Luckily, there is a statute of limitations on IRS audits and tax assessments.

Due to the rise in interest rates, the current penalty rate is 8 percent—the highest in 17 years. And since it’s not deductible, the net cost likely far exceeds 8 percent.

For over 20 years, the IRS has issued an annual Dirty Dozen list identifying tax scams and avoidance schemes. This year’s list includes everything from employee retention credit claims to the use of fake charities.