what is the meaning of tax shortfall?
A tax shortfall occurs when the amount of tax actually paid or collected is less than the amount that should have been paid according to tax laws and regulations. This can happen for several reasons:
- Underestimation of tax liability
- Incorrect tax calculations
- Unreported income
- Misclaimed deductions
- Errors in tax returns
When a tax shortfall is discovered, the taxpayer usually needs to:
- Pay the outstanding amount
- May face penalties
- Might need to pay interest on the unpaid amount
For example, if you were supposed to pay $5,000 in taxes but only paid $3,000, you would have a tax shortfall of $2,000.