Amend 2021 and filing prior year 2019

[kerridonohue]

I filed my 2021 and received my refund without any issues. I discovered that the number I used for my unemployment income was about $200 less than the number on my 1099-G. No problem, just amend, right?

That leads me to my next question. I never filed 2019. I'd be due a refund in the $1000-$2000 range. I'd like to get this before it's too late. Do I need to amend my 2021 before I go ahead and file a prior year return for 2019?

Also, while doing my 2021 taxes, it asked if I wanted to use my 2019 AGI for the EIC. (Since I hadn't filed 2019, I couldn't.) But I made over 3 times more in 2019 than I did for 2021. So it would have benefitted me more to use my 2019 AGI, right? So should I just file my prior year 2019 taxes, and then go ahead and amend my 2021, so I can both correct my 1099-G amount, AND use my 2019 AGI to calculate my EIC since it would be more? Thanks in advance.

[xmasbaby0]

Online preparation and e-filing for 2018 and 2019 and 2020 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

 If you need to prepare a return for 2018, 2019 or 2020 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/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/0... 

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.

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.

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.

[kerridonohue]

Right, I was aware that I will have to download the software and mail my 2019 return. No problem. My question really was, when I do file and mail my 2019 return, can I then go ahead and amend my 2021 taxes to 1) Correct the small 1099-G mistake and 2) Switch to the option to using my 2019 AGI to calculate my EIC? Since my 2019 AGI was a lot higher than my 2021 AGI, this would get me a larger refund due to an increased EIC amount, correct? And I would have to have filed my 2019 taxes in order to use that higher AGI, correct?

[MinhT1]

Yes. You are correct.

In order to use your 2019 income in the lookback rule, you'll need to file your 2019 tax return.

Then you could amend your 2021 return to correct the unemployment number and use your 2019 income to calculate earned income credit.