Can you file previous years taxes

The new form replaced the old , EZ and A versions, and moved a lot of information off the form and onto additional schedules. And there are other compelling reasons to file and pay back taxes. Generally, the penalty for not filing is more than the penalty for not paying. You may also be charged interest on any unpaid tax balance. Tax returns may play a role in credit decisions — lenders might ask you for copies of your filed tax returns.

State Department, which in turn can deny your application for a new or renewed passport. The State Department may also revoke your passport. The agency may send you a notice or a bill. Additionally, federal law generally allows the IRS to try to collect on a tax debt for 10 years, though there can be exceptions.

Filing accurate tax returns by the filing deadline and paying all the tax you owe on time goes a long way to help you avoid problems with the IRS.

Start a file for all your tax documents, such as income statements from your employer, interest statements from your bank or receipts for deductible expenses you hope to itemize. For all previous year or back taxes, find the tax forms on your eFile account and below as well.

You can complete and sign the forms before you download and mail them to the IRS mailing address or state tax agency - state mailing addresses are listed on individual state pages. Be sure to use the previous year mailing address and not the current mailing address so your return goes to the right place.

Search for previous tax year forms and publications. If you have to file a prior year individual income tax return, forms are listed below by tax year. Click on the forms and complete them via the PDF Editor before you sign, print and mail in the return s. Note: The IRS is experiencing a paper return processing backlog as of You can prepare and e-file your current, tax year return on eFile.

Remember, prior year tax returns cannot be electronically filed anywhere. In order to claim the first two of the stimulus payment checks , you will have to file your Tax Return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for missed stimulus payments.

If you missed filing your return to claim a missing stimulus payment - only for stimulus 1 and 2 - you will have to file back taxes which are not be able to be e-filed since October 15, You can e-file your tax return on time here on eFile. If you owe taxes, you might be subject to late filing and late payment fees if you wait until after the deadline to e-file your return. Additionally, consider filing a tax extension and e-file your return by October 15, The timely tax filing and e-file deadlines for all previous tax years - , , and beyond - have passed.

If you were owed a tax refund for or earlier , you can no longer claim this refund. Links to tax federal and state tax forms by tax year can be found below. See how to file back state taxes. Important eFile. If needed, you can file back further using paper filing. You can typically find the forms for earlier years on the IRS website. The IRS typically does not investigate returns that are more than six years overdue.

In other words, if your taxes are in question, your past six years of tax returns are usually the only ones that would be considered for auditing. You can find more information about preparing a prior year return with TaxSlayer here. Yes, if you file the return within three years of the original due date. If you have a prior year return that you still need to file, you can get started for free today with TaxSlayer.

The information in this article is current through tax year returns filed in How do I file back tax returns?