can I e-file 2021 taxes with turbotax 2021 in 2023 ?

[amritsari]

I didn't file my 2021 taxes in 2022. Now I'm ready to. Will TurboTax 2021 let me e-file my 2021 return now (in 2023)? A competitor product whose name rhymes with crock will not let me e-file. says I must print and mail it in.

[hbl3973]

amritsari,

Sorry, it is now past the e-file cutoff date for 2021.  The cutoff was back in November 2022.  See the IRS website https://www.irs.gov/faqs/electronic-filing-e-file/due-dates-extension-dates-for-e-file/due-dates-ext... for details.

When you paper file, I recommend you send it with a service that gives you a tracking number to let you know when it was delivered.  This sets a cutoff date for the accumulation of any penalties and interest should the return show you owed money on your return(s).  For the US Postal Service, the green Certified Mail slip is all you need for that, and don't spend extra to get a return postcard for proof of delivery.  The IRS website https://www.irs.gov/filing/private-delivery-services-pds gives the options for private delivery services such as FedEx.  Use the same process for your state income tax return if you live in a state that imposes an income tax.

Finally, yes, it will take some time, perhaps several months, for that return to be processed by the IRS.  They are hiring new staff to deal with the backlog of approximately 1 million paper returns.  I, myself, am old fashioned and found the delays were on the order of 6 months during COVID times.

[amritsari]

in IRS publication 4164, it says this:

1.4.1 Current and Prior 2 Tax Years are Accepted

When a new tax form type is added to the MeF platform, tax returns will be accepted for the first Processing Year only.

• In Processing Year 2023, MeF will accept TY2022, TY2021 and TY2020 returns for Form 1040

• In Processing Year 2023, MeF will accept TY2022, TY2021 and TY2020 returns for Form 1040-NR

• In Processing Year 2023, MeF will accept TY2022, TY2021 and TY2020 returns for Form 1041

As subsequent Tax Years are added to the system, MeF will accept the current year and two Prior Tax Years. Tax Years beyond the two Prior Years cannot be filed through MeF.

When a tax form type is removed from the MeF platform, tax returns will be accepted through the final Processing Year only

So it seems that it is possible to e-file 2021 taxes in 2023, but what is not clear to me is whether turbotax is part of the MeF system or not ?

[hbl3973]

Hey, great sleuthing!  I had heard about e-filing amended returns, but not original returns.

Now the bad news at least as of 1 month ago:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/electronic-filing/e-file-2020-2019-earli...

which says TurboTax does not do prior year e-filing.

[hbl3973]

Intuit (the company that makes TurboTax) does have a line of software for professional tax preparers.  That software does permit prior year e-filing:

https://proconnect.intuit.com/support/en-us/help-article/electronic-filing/e-file-start-stop-dates-f...

but that is not, of course, the TurboTax we are using.