---
title: What Is Penalty Abatement? Your 2026 Guide | TaxTruce
url: https://taxtruce.com/answers/what-is-penalty-abatement
updated: 2026-10-29
---

# What is penalty abatement?

Updated October 8, 20262 sourcesTaxTruce team[Fact checked](/editorial-standards)

The short answer

It means the IRS removes or lowers a penalty. You may get it for a clean compliance record, a good reason like illness or disaster, or a legal exception. When a penalty comes off, the interest on it comes off too.

## Sources

1. [IRS: Penalty relief](https://www.irs.gov/payments/penalty-relief)
2. [IRS: Penalty relief due to reasonable cause](https://www.irs.gov/payments/penalty-relief-due-to-reasonable-cause)

Run the numbers with our [free tax tools](/tools), like the penalty and payment plan math.