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April 14, 2025
Question

I was a dependent the previous years. I have tax forms from those years I didn’t file.

  • April 14, 2025
  • 2 replies
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  • First time filing independently. I was a dependent the previous years. I have tax forms from those years that I didn’t file. Am I able to file those this year? And if so , what must I make sure I put down in the filing?

    2 replies

    April 14, 2025

    You would need to download the previous years tax programs to file your taxes from past years.

     

    Did you make much money or have taxes withheld?  If you made less than the standard deduction and did not have taxes withheld, then their is no need for you to file a tax return.   Also, you can only file taxes from 3 years in the past to claim a refund. 

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    Employee
    April 14, 2025

    If you are asking if you can just put all of those tax documents on a  2024 return---no, you cannot do that.

     

    Each tax year is separate, and must be prepared using the forms and software for the specific year in which you received the income.

     

     

    If you were claimed as someone else's dependent in a past year, you can file returns to seek refunds of the amounts that were in boxes 2 or 17 of your W-2's.   You will not get anything back for the amounts for Social Security or Medicare.   

     

     

    You cannot change the tax year.   The current online program is for 2024 only.   Only a 2024 return can be prepared online and only a 2024 return can be e-filed.

     

    Online preparation and e-filing for 2021, 2022, and  2023 is permanently closed.

    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.

     

    To file a return for a prior tax year

     If you need to prepare a return for 2021, 2022, or 2023  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/

    You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

     

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

     

    https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/state-taxes/contact-state-department-revenue/L9qVToi02_US_en_US?uid=m6e06um0

     

    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 certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

     

    Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.    Each tax year needs to be sent separately.  Do not combine them in the same envelopes.

     

     

    There might be other tax software out there that would be less costly than TT--let "google" be your friend.   Or....you could use the paper forms and prepare them by hand.

     

     

    If you prepare returns for those past years--you must say that someone else could claim you as a dependent.

     

    2021

     

    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf

     

     

    Here is the IRS 2021 Form 1040
    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2021.pdf


    or if you want bigger type use 1040SR for Seniors,
    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2021.pdf

     

    And 2021 Instructions
    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2021.pdf


    2021 Tax and EIC Tables
    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2021.pdf


    Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2021.pdf
    Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2021.pdf
    Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2021.pdf

    Mail 2021 by April 15 2025 or you forfeit the refund.

     

     

     

    2022

    IRS 2022 Form 1040
    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2022.pdf


    or if you want bigger type use 1040SR for Seniors,
    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2022.pdf


    And 2022 Instructions
    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2022.pdf


    2022 Tax and EIC Tables
    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2022.pdf


    Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2022.pdf
    Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2022.pdf
    Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2022.pdf

     

     

     

    2023

     

    Form 1040 (2023) PDF

    Related:

    Instructions for Form 1040 (2023) PDF
    Form 1040 Schedule 1 (2023) PDF
    Form 1040 Schedule 2 (2023) PDF
    Form 1040 Schedule 3 (2023) PDF
    Publication 17 (2023) PDF

     

     

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