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January 3, 2020
Question

What will happen if I’m not sure if i didn’t file my taxes last year, will i be able to file this year?

  • January 3, 2020
  • 2 replies
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2 replies

DoninGA
Employee
January 3, 2020

You can complete and file a 2019 tax return even if you did not file a 2018 tax return.

Employee
January 3, 2020

Whether you filed a 2018 tax return does not determine whether you can file a 2019 return.  If you had taxable income for 2019 then you file a tax return.  If there is no 2018 tax return in your account, you just will not have a past return to transfer in to the new one.

 

However, you should figure out if you filed for 2018 or not, and file if you should have filed.  Check to see if the IRS has a transcript of a 2018 tax return for you.  And check your wage and income transcript on record with the IRS to see what income was reported to the IRS for 2018 by any of your employers.

 

You can get a free transcript from the IRS:   

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

 

You have three years to file a tax return and receive a refund, and if you owe, you must file and pay, or face penalties and interest.

 

If it turns out that you still need to file a 2018 return:

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.

 

**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.**