topic If I have not filed taxes for years but I have been working what should my fist step be? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

If I have not filed taxes for years but I have been working what should my fist step be?

imsorryirs — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 10:56:33 GMT

Re: If I have not filed taxes for years but I have been working what should my fist step be?

Hal_Al — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:39:37 GMT

First step: Get the forms for the past years.

You get forms for all years from the IRS. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/prior-year

You can get down load software (not available online) from TurboTax going back three years.

Prepare past year prepare prior year https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Re: If I have not filed taxes for years but I have been working what should my fist step be?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:41:58 GMT

Find your records----do you have W-2's or 1099Misc documents that show your earnings? If you have not saved your records there are some ways to get them.

Each tax year has to be filed separately using the forms for the specific tax year. You cannot combine income from different years on the same tax return. You cannot get a tax refund for any tax year earlier than 2016 (and after April 15, 2020 it will be too late for a 2016 refund), but if you owe tax to the IRS they still want to be paid.

TurboTax software is available for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Only a 2019 return can be prepared using the online software. Earlier years must be prepared using downloaded software which you must pay for.

DO I NEED TO FILE A TAX RETURN?

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return

What if I do not file my tax return?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572308-what-happens-if-i-don-t-file-my-taxes

Online preparation and e-filing for 2018 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2016, 2017, or 2018 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/

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

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.

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.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900990-how-do-i-file-a-prior-year-tax-return

Every 2019 W-2 that you received must be reported on your 2019 tax return, even if they are for small amounts. Remember that each one of those W-2’s has your Social Security number on it, and that income was reported to the IRS by the employer. You do not want to get in trouble with the IRS for under-reporting your income.

ALL of your W-2’s must be entered on the SAME tax return. After you enter the first one, you click Add Another W-2.

W-2's come from your employer, and they have until Jan. 31 to issue it. Some employers allow you to import the W-2 through the software, but for security reasons you still need information from the actual W-2 to import it. You might need to phone, email and/or snail mail an old employer to make sure they know where to send your W-2.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2561916-how-can-i-get-a-copy-of-my-w-2

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1934390-how-do-i-import-my-W-2

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2588751-why-can-t-i-import-my-w-2

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2938482-how-do-i-take-a-picture-of-my-w-2-in-turbotax-online

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/income/help/what-if-it-s-february-but-i-still-don-t-have-my-w-2/00/25998

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc154

Other ways to get W-2’s:

Pay Social Security $86 per W-2:

https://www.irs.gov/help-resources/tools-faqs/faqs-for-individuals/frequently-asked-tax-questions-answers/irs-procedures/transcript-or-copy-of-form-w-2/transcript-or-copy-of-form-w-2

You can get a wage and income transcript from the IRS: It will not show the actual W-2, 1099’s, etc, but will show the income information the IRS received. It will not, however, show your state information. It will only show the federal information.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

Re: If I have not filed taxes for years but I have been working what should my fist step be?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:44:01 GMT

PRIOR YEAR FORMS FROM IRS

2016

Form 1040 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2016.pdf

Form 1040 Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2016.pdf

Form 1040A https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040a.pdf

Form 1040AInstructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040a--2016.pdf

Form1040EZ https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040ez--2015.pdf

Form1040EZ Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040ez.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-paper-tax-returns-with-or-without-a-payment

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

2017

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

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

2018 Form 1040, Schedules and Instructions

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2018.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2018.pdf
2018 Tax and EIC Tables https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2018.pdf

IRS 2018 Schedules 1 thru 6 (only if needed)
Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2018.pdf
Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2018.pdf
Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2018.pdf
Sch 4 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s4--2018.pdf
Sch 5 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s5--2018.pdf
Sch 6 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s6--2018.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-paper-tax-returns-with-or-without-a-payment

Re: If I have not filed taxes for years but I have been working what should my fist step be?

fanfare — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:54:23 GMT

the first step is to get IRS Pub 17 to find out who must file based on your income and circumstances.

Then read the rest of it to discover the world of federal income tax.

Re: If I have not filed taxes for years but I have been working what should my fist step be?

Hal_Al — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 12:00:31 GMT

Or "Google" income tax filing requirements 2015, 2016 etc

You can only get a refund going back three years (2016 must be filed by 4-15-20). but there is no time limit for filing, if you owe