I never filed a tax return for 2017 and now I am trying to fix that. I downloaded the income and tax info from the IRS website. Do I need to buy special software?

[DoninGA]

TurboTax does not support tax year 2017.

If you need assistance in completing the 2017 tax return you should seek out a local tax professional to assist you.

Note that if you are filing the 2017 tax return with a tax refund, the refund will not be paid.  A 2017 tax return with a refund had to be filed within 3 years from the due date of the tax return.  The 2017 tax return had to be filed on or before May 17, 2021.

If taxes are owed then you need file as soon as possible since penalties and interest will continue to accrue until the taxes are paid.  The IRS will send a bill in the mail after payment of the taxes owed.

[xmasbaby0]

It is too late for you to receive a refund for a 2017 return.   If you were getting a refund, it has been forfeited several years ago.   If you owe tax due to the IRS you still have to pay, with interest and late penalties.

Software is no longer available for 2017.   You can seek local paid tax help or use the paper forms and prepare them by hand to mail in.

2017

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2017.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2017.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040a--2017.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040a--2017.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040ez--2017.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040ez--2017.pdf

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.

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... 

[xmasbaby0]

@samuellake2 And.....what about 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022?   Are you way behind on filing tax returns?  Or did you just somehow skip filing for 2017?   If you are behind for any of those other years---you have until April 15 to file 2020 to get a refund or that one will be forfeited.  Refunds for 2018 and 2019 have been forfeited.

Each tax year has to be filed separately using the forms for the specific tax year.  They cannot be combined in any way--do not even put them in the same envelope when you mail them.  Software for past years is available back to 2020.  

The current online program can only be used for a 2023 return--no other year.  And if you did not file a 2022 return you will have trouble e-filing 2023.  When it asks for your 2022 AGI try using zero.  If zero does not work then you have to print, sign and mail 2022

TurboTax has software for 2020 onward.   Software is no longer available from TurboTax for earlier years, nor would it be supported even if you find it on eBay, etc.  Updates are not available.   It is also too late to receive a tax refund for a tax year earlier than 2020---those refunds have been forfeited.   BUT if you owe tax due you still have to pay with penalties and interest.   There might be other software providers that have software for those years, but you will not receive refunds for the returns even if the forms show a refund.

It might be better for you to seek local paid tax help in a situation when you are several years behind in filing your tax returns.  Do you even have all of the documents you will need to enter and show your income—like your W-2’s and any 1099’s?

Online preparation and e-filing for 2020, 2021, and  2022 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

 If you need to prepare a return for 2020, 2021, or 2022  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.

[Opus 17]

Note that even though any refund won't be paid, the statute of limitations for tax problems is 3 years from the date you file.  So filing now starts that clock and will keep the IRS off your back.