How can I prepare previous tax returns online? And how far back can I go?

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

You cannot prepare previous year tax returns online with TurboTax.  Online preparation is currently for tax year 2018 only.

You can use TurboTax desktop software to prepare prior returns.   At this point in time, TurboTax is still supporting these past products:  2015, 2016, and 2017.

You can purchase the prior-year products at this page:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

If you prepare them in order (recommended), then you can transfer the prior-year data into the following year's return; i.e., you can transfer the 2015 tax data file into a 2016 return; 2016 into 2017, etc.

The prior returns cannot be efiled.  They have to be printed, signed, and mailed.   Do not mail them in the same envelope.  Mail each tax year separately.    Mail any Federal returns to the IRS and state returns (if applicable) to the state tax agency.

It's a good idea to mail via a method that has tracking such as certified return receipt, priority mail, or other method with tracking.

[mesquitebean]

@gbinns1969   Some additional info:

If you are due a Federal tax refund, you have 3 years from the original due date of the return (or extended due date if an extension was timely filed) to claim the refund.   i.e., there is a 3-year statute of limitations to receive the refund.   So if you have a 2015 return due a refund, you need to get it filed soon.   State rules can vary.

If you owe taxes for any of those years, you should file as soon as possible since tax penalties and interest are accruing.