My ex girlfriends two brothers are both also in trouble with the IRS. Ones been paying for years and prolly will til death. The other had yet to get caught by the feds but the State was on his ass and it's only a matter of time. Both had no withholding taken for years as they did siding and just kept all the money rather than tuck 30% away for taxes every year. I don't think one filed a return for a decade.. He's screwed..
Thing is, niether one can participate in mainstream financial activities. No bank accounts, no property, no credit, nothing.. One couldn't rent an apartment.. He's freakin 35 years old.. They'll take it from them and they know it until they clear the debt.. It never goes away. Penelties are quite severe and I don't think it takes that long and $50,000 is $500,000..