Can I discharge taxes, fines and government penalties in bankruptcy?
Debts owed on federal taxes cannot be discharged in bankruptcy unless they are for taxes that could have been last paid three years prior to filing without penalty. There are other tests for dischargability as well. Note that even though newer tax debts usually can’t be discharged in bankruptcy they may be susceptible to repayment over time in a chapter 13 plan. Fines and penalties are usually not dischargeable in bankruptcy.
