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How Do I File Returns for Back Taxes?

Written by a TurboTax Expert • Reviewed by a TurboTax CPAUpdated for Tax Year 2024 • October 16, 2024 2:03 AM
OVERVIEW

When would someone file back taxes, and what does this process typically look like?

Key Takeaways

  • You can file back taxes for any past year, but the IRS usually considers you in good standing if you have filed the last six years of tax returns.
  • If you qualified for federal tax credits or refunds in the past but didn't file tax returns, you may be able to collect the money by filing back taxes. However, the IRS only allows you to claim refunds and tax credits within three years of the tax return's original due date.
  • If you owed taxes in previous years but didn't file tax returns, you can stop some penalties and interest by filing back taxes, even if you are unable to pay the balance you owe.
  • Filing back taxes and paying the associated taxes can help you qualify for Social Security retirement and disability benefits and Medicare benefits when you need them. Having tax returns for past years can also help with loan applications.

Catching up on taxes

Should you file back taxes? It may not be too late to file a previous year's tax return to pay what you owe or claim your refund. Learn more about why one may choose to file back taxes and how to start this process.

Why you should file back taxes

Filing back tax returns could help you do one or more of the following:

1. Claim a refund

One practical reason to file a back tax return is to see if the IRS owes you a tax refund. While many have federal income taxes withheld from their paychecks, sometimes too much money is withheld. In these cases, filing a tax return could result in a tax refund that puts money in your bank account.

2. Stop late filing and payment penalties and interest

Filing a tax return on time is important to avoid or minimize penalties, even if you can't pay the balance you owe. If you don't file your return, you may have to pay an additional 5% of the unpaid tax you were required to report for each month your tax return is late, up to five months. Minimum penalty limits can also apply.

The IRS assesses another penalty for a failure to pay your taxes owed. If you do file on time, but you can't pay what you owe in full by the due date, you'll be charged an additional 0.5% of the amount of the tax not paid on time for each month or part of a month you are late. These fees will accrue until your balance is paid in full or the penalty reaches 25% of your tax, whichever comes first.

The IRS also charges interest on overdue taxes. Unlike penalties, interest does not stop accruing like the failure to file and failure to pay penalties.

3. Have tax returns for loan applications

Certain types of loans, such as mortgages and business loans, may require you to have documentation of your income as part of the approval process. Filing your tax returns before you apply for a loan helps the process go smoother.

4. Pay Social Security taxes to qualify for benefits

Self-employed individuals have to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes through their individual income tax returns. By filing a return and paying the associated taxes, you report your income so that you may qualify for Social Security retirement and disability benefits and Medicare benefits when you need them.

How late can you file?

The IRS prefers that you file all back tax returns for years you have not yet filed. That said, the IRS usually only requires you to file the last six years of tax returns to be considered in good standing. Even so, the IRS can go back more than six years in certain instances.

Unfortunately, there is a limit on how far back you can file a tax return to claim tax refunds and tax credits. This IRS only allows you to claim refunds and tax credits within three years of the tax return's original due date. By not filing within three years of the due date, you might end up missing out on a tax refund because you can no longer claim the lucrative tax credits or any excess withholding from your paycheck.

TurboTax Tip:

You can request a transcript of the tax information the IRS has on file for you for any given year in the last 10 tax years by filing Form 4506-T. You will receive information found on forms such as W-2s, 1099s, and 1098s. You won’t receive information about deductions and credits you may qualify for, but the information you receive will help you file your back taxes.

How to file tax returns for previous years

Filing a tax return for a previous year isn't as hard as you may think, but it does require a few steps.

1. Gather information

The first step is gathering any information from the year you want to file a tax return for. Pull together your W-2s, 1099s, and information for any deductions or credits you may qualify for. Look on the tax forms you gather for the year of the tax return you're filing to make sure you use the right ones.

2. Request tax documents from the IRS

Finding documents from previous years may be challenging for some. Thankfully, the IRS has a form you can fill out to request any tax information they have on file for you for a given year. Form 4506-T allows you to request a transcript of your tax return information, even if you haven't filed a tax return. You can request information from the last 10 tax years.

The IRS will send the information it has on record, including information found on forms such as W-2s, 1099s, and 1098s. It won't have information about deductions and credits you may qualify for, though, so you'll still need to do some work on your own.

3. Complete and file your tax return

Once you have all the forms you need, be sure to use the tax forms from the year you're filing. For instance, you must use 2020 tax return forms to file a 2020 tax return. You can find these documents on the IRS website. Patience is important when filling out a tax return by hand. And thankfully, you can also file tax returns from previous years using TurboTax.

  • Select the year you want to file a return for to get started.
  • Then, input your tax information and TurboTax will properly fill out the tax forms.
  • You will have to print out and mail in your tax return for previous years as e-filing prior year returns is not an option through TurboTax.

With TurboTax Live Full Service, a local expert matched to your unique situation will do your taxes for you start to finish. Or, get unlimited help and advice from tax experts while you do your taxes with TurboTax Live Assisted.

And if you want to file your own taxes, you can still feel confident you'll do them right with TurboTax as we guide you step by step. No matter which way you file, we guarantee 100% accuracy and your maximum refund.

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~37% of filers qualify. Simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and student loan interest).

Looking for more information?

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The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.

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TurboTax Online: Important Details about Filing Simple Form 1040 Returns

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Examples of situations included in a simple Form 1040 return (assuming no added tax complexity):

  • W-2 income
  • Interest, dividends or original issue discounts (1099-INT/1099-DIV/1099-OID) that don’t require filing a Schedule B
  • IRS standard deduction
  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)
  • Student loan interest deduction
  • Taxable qualified retirement plan distributions

Examples of situations not included in a simple Form 1040 return:

  • Itemized deductions claimed on Schedule A, like charitable contributions, medical expenses, mortgage interest and state and local tax deductions
  • Unemployment income reported on a 1099-G
  • Business or 1099-NEC income (often reported by those who are self-employed, gig workers or freelancers)
  • Stock sales (including crypto investments)
  • Income from rental property or property sales
  • Credits, deductions and income reported on other forms or schedules 

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