CPA said stop filing since my income & deductions are too low. Also told me to stop paying a tax on one of my 1099Rs, which I didn’t do. How to get refund?

[kathcorm]

Haven’t filed since approx 2019 due to low income. I never cancelled a tax I paid on one of my 1099Rs. Do I have to file to get it back? 882 808

[rjs]

Yes, you have to file a tax return to get a refund of tax that was withheld on a 1099-R. You have to file a separate tax return for each year. It's too late to get a refund for 2020 or earlier. To get a refund for 2021 the tax return has to be filed by April 15, 2025.

[xmasbaby0]

Your post is a little bit confusing.   Do you mean you have not been filing tax returns since 2019------but you have been getting some money out of a retirement account or a pension and they are withholding tax from the payments or distributions?   The only way to get it back is to file a tax return.  And -- of course--going forward have them stop withholding tax.

You cannot file as far back as 2019 to receive a refund.  Refunds for 2019 or 2020 have been forfeited.   You can still file returns for 2021 (if you file by April 15, 2025), 2022, 2023, or 2024.

And....since you have not mentioned any other details---we do not know if the advice you got from the CPA is correct.  You have not mentioned the amount of your income or where it is coming from.

Try this interactive tool from the IRS to help with whether you should be filing tax returns.

Who has to file?

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Do-I-Need-to-File-a-Tax-Return%3F

If you want to file returns for 2021, 2022, or 2023, you can use TurboTax software ----but you have to purchase the download that can only be used on a  full PC or Mac.   Or you can try preparing the paper forms by hand to mail in.

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

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)

US Individual Income Tax Return for tax year 2023.  Annual income tax return filed by citizens or residents of the United States.

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

You can use online TT for a 2024 return.