Want to file OLD taxes. Please help.

[Missy2022]

Hello,
I made money with a hobby and odd jobs in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. I was young and knew nothing about taxes. I only knew that I was making below the standard deduction amount and was told I was not required to file, so I didn't file.
Now looking back I wish I had filed. It's only 3-5K per year, but every little bit helps, right? 
Can I still file for those years even though I wouldn't have owed taxes? 
If so, how?? Where can I get those old forms and instructions?
Are there any downsides to filing now?
Thank you!!

[DoninGA]

If you think that you will get a tax refund for those 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 tax years, it is to late file for a refund.  The tax return had to be filed within 3 years of the due date for each tax year.

[VolvoGirl]

If you want to file or need to file old returns you can't use Turbo Tax.  Turbo Tax only goes back 3 years.  So either go to a local tax place or accountant or  you can get the IRS blank forms and fill them out by hand for free.  Get the IRS blank forms here,
https://www.irs.gov/prior-year-forms-and-instructions

To file your income you probably would need to file it as self employment income and you would owe Self Employment tax on it.  Then you will get Social Security credit for it for when you retire.  

[Missy2022]

Thanks. I know about the 3 year refund rule. 🙂

[Missy2022]

Thank you very much! That's helpful.
I can't seem to find that form on that site, but maybe I'll try calling the IRS.

[VolvoGirl]

Which form?  My link is to all the IRS forms.  You would at least need the 1040 form for each year and a schedule C for self employment income, Schedule SE for self employment tax.    And probably some other forms.  And then you would need any forms from your state if you need to do a state return.  

[Missy2022]

Thank you!
I guess my confusion is because I can't find these forms for the years I am looking for. Are they just universal blank forms?

[VolvoGirl]

I know it's hard to find the form you need.  Type 1040 in the search box at the top.   You should also get the instructions for each form you need.  They're all there, you have to keep paging and scrolling.  

[VolvoGirl]

Here are some forms for 2013 I looked up for you.

1040 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2013.pdf
Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2013.pdf

2013 Tax Tables https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2013.pdf
Publication 17 Tax Guide for 2013
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/p17--2013.pdf

1040 Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040sc--2013.pdf

Schedule C Instructions
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040sc--2013.pdf

[xmasbaby0]

@Missy2022 

"Are there any downsides to filing now?"

You will not receive any refunds for those tax years.  But if you had self-employment income you are going to owe self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare.   And since you are filing so long past the deadlines you will owe the amounts shown on the forms, and you may end up owing late filing penalties and interest for which the IRS will bill you later.

[VolvoGirl]

Oh, do you have any W2s for those years?  You don't need to file if you only had W2 income less than the Standard Deduction.  Did you get any 1099s for the odd jobs?  If you didn't get W2s then did you keep records of your income?  If you got 1099 income or cash you need to file if it's  $400 or more on schedule C and pay the self employment tax.  You need to do each year separately and mail them separately.  

[Missy2022]

Thank you so much! That's helpful!

[Missy2022]

Wow! That is amazing of you! Thank you so much for helping me so much.
I did not have W2 income. I guess that leaves me filing as self employed. I wonder what the penalties are like for filing so late. In 2013 I only made like $5000 or so. Hope it's not too bad.
Thanks again for all your help. 🙂