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Can I wait until 2020 to file 2018 taxes?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 6, 2019
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TurboTax Deluxe Online

Best answer by AlanT222

Yes, you can wait until 2020 to file your 2018 income tax return. However, if you owe additional taxes for 2018, you will pay a failure to file penalty, a failure to pay penalty, and interest. If you are due a refund, there are no penalties.

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AlanT222Answer

Yes, you can wait until 2020 to file your 2018 income tax return. However, if you owe additional taxes for 2018, you will pay a failure to file penalty, a failure to pay penalty, and interest. If you are due a refund, there are no penalties.

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VolvoGirl

Employee

But to be clear you have to file it on a 2018 return. You can't just add it to your 2019 return next year. You have 3 years to file if you are getting a refund.

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Susiegue

Can i file right now as i think it may delay my stimulus check. I do have an account recently establish. How can I file 2018 now

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CoreT34

I already filed 2019 taxes on TurboTax n I'm trying to file 2018

DoninGA

Employee

@CoreT34 wrote:

I already filed 2019 taxes on TurboTax n I'm trying to file 2018

To complete and file a 2018 tax return using TurboTax you would need to purchase, download and install on a personal computer one of the 2018 desktop editions from this website - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

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yorana

My understanding is that you can. I used a 1040-SR form and freefile TurboTax for 2019 tax return. I found a printable 2018 1040 form online and filled it in by hand. Looks like I send both to the same place, so I'm mailing them together. (I always have to mail my returns -- I think it's because my income is so low). My tax returns are extremely simple. Just Social Security and Standard Deduction, and nothing else. I don't owe anything. For future viewers, as I write this we are going through a Covid-19 outbreak nationwide. There has been talk of some cash payments from the government for expenses and losses due to the virus pandemic. I have read the amount of the payments will be based on income as reported and verified in 2018 tax returns. I don't have to file, but I will file every year from now on. I hope I won't miss out on any help. I haven't lost as much as many workers, but it definitely has cost me due to shortages of supplies and the need to help family. And I worry every month if I'll make it to my next Social Security payment in normal times, so anything extra means something else has to be cut. I'm keeping saved and printed copies (signed) with the mailing date. If you are able to submit electronically, you can keep track of it that way.

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xmasbaby0

Employee

@yorana

If you are getting a tax REFUND you have up to three years from the filing deadline to file your return and still receive the refund. If you had tax due--tax owed to the IRS---then missing the filing deadline and not paying means penalties and interest that begin with the filing deadline.

Putting two years of returns in the same envelope risks that the worker who opens the mail misses one. You should mail each year in its own envelope. It is also a good idea to use a mailing service that tracks it so you know your return is received.

It seems you are filing these returns because you believe it has something to do with stimulus checks that may be issued. Keep in mind that nothing has been decided or voted on yet by Congress. We do not know yet how the program will be handled and whether filing a tax return is required.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

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TiminNJ

Can I still file my 2018 tax via efile or does it need to be physically sent in? As I understand things, filing a 2018 tax return is a requirement of the new stimulus package. Thanks

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Nicolemw81

Do I need to file my 2018 & 2019 tax return to get the stimulus check? I havent files yet for those yrs.

CatinaT1

Non-filers: Haven't filed a tax return for a previous year? Take steps now.

The IRS encourages anyone with a tax filing obligation who hasn't filed a tax return for 2018 or a previous year to act now. – Pending legislation includes certain potential credits and rebates for those who have filed a return for 2018 and/or 2019. Those without 2018 tax filings on record could potentially affect mailings of stimulus checks. And more than 1 million people who haven't filed tax returns for Tax Year 2016 and are owed a refund still face an April 15, 2020, deadline to file their return. This deadline hasn't been extended. Current law requires the 2016 return to be filed by April 15, 2020.

Many non-filers should consider contacting a tax professional to consider various available options since the time to receive such refunds is limited by statute. Once delinquent returns have been filed, most taxpayers have the opportunity to resolve any outstanding liabilities by entering into an Installment Agreement or an Offer in Compromise with the IRS to obtain a "Fresh Start." See IRS.gov for further information.

Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

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Talley922

How so I file 2018 forms in Turbo Tax.

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xmasbaby0

Employee

@Talley922

Online preparation and e-filing for 2018 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2016, 2017, or 2018 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign, and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Note: The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac. It cannot be used on a mobile device.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline. If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900990-how-do-i-file-a-prior-year-tax-return

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

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Sonic98

I have a question to add to the discussion. I need to file for 2017 and 2018. Actually I've already used the software to create my previous year returns, and I have them in PDF format. Does anyone recommend any Services that will send it certified mail for you. For what I can tell USPS has no online service. I believe their site suggests click2mail, but their site seems overly complicated. I really don't understand why companies like Turbotax only offer to mail it from a location. Why not just save your customer's the hassle and offer to mail it for an additional fee

We are quarantining after all

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Extreme80

Can I file my 2018 taxes now so I can get my stimulus money

DoninGA

Employee

@Extreme80 wrote:

Can I file my 2018 taxes now so I can get my stimulus money

To complete and file a 2018 tax return using TurboTax you would need to purchase, download and install on a personal computer one of the 2018 desktop editions from this website - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

A 2018 tax return can only be printed and mailed, it cannot be e-filed.

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jsvirzi

I keep hearing how previous years must be printed and mailed. I also keep hearing you must act quickly, and get your 2018 taxes in if you have not filed. Then, I keep hearing that the IRS is not processing paper returns until after the COVID19.

Can't the IRS open up electronic filing for any year? Essentially, electronic filing is where everyone is doing their own manual data entry, freeing up IRS resources. You'd think that they would welcome the help, right about now.

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chonggator

can i use turbotax deluxe 2020 to file my 2018 taxes

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xmasbaby0

Employee

No.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2018 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2016, 2017, or 2018 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign, and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Note: The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac. It cannot be used on a mobile device.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline. If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900990-how-do-i-file-a-prior-year-tax-return

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

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Etsra2l

Can I File 2018 taxes online in 2020?

DoninGA

Employee

@Etsra2l wrote:

Can I File 2018 taxes online in 2020?

To complete a 2018 tax return using TurboTax you will need to purchase, download and install on a personal computer one of the 2018 desktop editions from this website - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

A 2018 tax return can only be printed and mailed, it cannot be e-filed.

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jsvirzi

This question generated a lot of replies, but somehow no answers. I have exactly the same question. I filed my 2019 taxes electronically. No problem there. I did not, however, file 2018 taxes. Upon realizing that, I purchased TurboTax 2018 and filled out the tax return successfully. At the end, however, I was NOT able to file electronically my 2018 taxes.

The first reply to this question was "yes, you can wait until 2020 to file 2018 taxes electronically". So, without referring to penalties, etc. (I am aware of my tax obligations), HOW DO I FILE 2018 ELECTRONICALLY IN 2020?

Thanks in advance,

DoninGA

Employee

@jsvirzi wrote:

This question generated a lot of replies, but somehow no answers. I have exactly the same question. I filed my 2019 taxes electronically. No problem there. I did not, however, file 2018 taxes. Upon realizing that, I purchased TurboTax 2018 and filled out the tax return successfully. At the end, however, I was NOT able to file electronically my 2018 taxes.

The first reply to this question was "yes, you can wait until 2020 to file 2018 taxes electronically". So, without referring to penalties, etc. (I am aware of my tax obligations), HOW DO I FILE 2018 ELECTRONICALLY IN 2020?

Thanks in advance,

Only the current tax year, 2019, can be e-filed using the TurboTax personal software. Tax returns prior to the current year, 2019, must be printed and mailed. They cannot be e-filed using TurboTax.

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war7432

Need my tax form 2018 2019

DoninGA

Employee

@war7432 wrote:

Need my tax form 2018 2019

To access your current or prior year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the userID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and on the section Your tax returns & documents click on Show. Click on the Year and Click on Download/print return (PDF)

Or -

When you sign onto your online account and land on the Tax Home web page, scroll down and click on Add a state.

This will take you back to the 2019 online tax return.

Click on Tax Tools on the left side of the online program screen. Then click on Print Center. Then click on Print, save or preview this year's return. Choose the option Include government and TurboTax worksheets