Fling 2023-2025 Federal and State Tax returns - mail vs e-file?

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
May 21, 2026
1 reply
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I'm helping a family member file their Federal and State individual tax returns. They need to file 3 years worth (2023, 4, and 5….expecting refunds from Federal and State…and the extensions were filed). I'm thinking the path of least resistance would be to file all 6 returns (3 federal and 3 state) by mail, so they can keep "pace" together as they're processed.

Historically, the family has filed by mail (sent by registered mail with returned receipt). Whlie they use Turbotax Desktop to prep their taxes , they're not willing to change their ways (They're in their 80s).

Any insight on how to proceed? File by mail or e-file?

Not A Product Question

rjs

Level 15

You cannot e-file past years with TurboTax, so 2023 and 2024 will have to be mailed in any case. There's no problem mailing 2025 if that's what the family member prefers.

Do not put more than one tax return in one envelope. Mail each year separately. And of course the federal and state returns have to be mailed separately because they go to different places. There is no "pace." The returns might not be processed in order, but it doesn't matter.

zscottieAuthor

Level 2

Could I e-file 2025, after mailing the 2023 and 2024 returns/getting notification they were recieved (I'll be tracking the packages)? Or would that create confusion on the status of the taxpayers' returns?