This Is What Can Happen If You Don’t Pay Taxes Personal Finance June 18, 2026 A. A. Francis Civil liability The IRS does not generally put people in jail for tax evasion. It’s difficult to pay what you owe, and penalties and fees, from prison. Most tax cases are civil, not criminal, in nature. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Sharing Email this article Print this article