Filing taxes for 2015 through 2019

[caron1981]

I'm helping a family member file their taxes for years 2015 through 2019 so they can claim the stimulus payments on this years taxes. There's a rather lengthy back story that I wont get into aside from the fact that their mom was filing taxes for them but today looking at their transcripts online that never happened. The mother is long gone. 

I'm not well versed on filing previous year taxes that are 3+ years old. 

If in 2015 a refund was due to from the taxes do I still need to file 2015 and 2016? Since they are 3 years old I know a cant be claimed but should I still file them? 

Basically I want to file everything that I need to by law even if a refund cant be claimed so there are no problems down the road and so that we can claim the stimulus payments on this years taxes so she gets them.

But I don't want to spend time on filing a years taxes if I don't have to. 

I have this persons wage and income transcripts ready to go.  I just need to hunt down some w2s because the Federal EIN is not complete on the transcripts just the last 4 digits. 

Any help or knowledge would be appreciated

[macuser_22]

2015-2019 will have no effect on  the 2020 stimulus.

The stimulus (1st and 2nd) was, and is, actually a 2020 stimulus, but because payments were issued before 2020 income and tax returns were filed, an *advance* payment was issued based on either the 2018 or 2019 tax returns already filed.

Now that it is 2021 and 2020 income is known and 2020 tax returns are actually filed, the IRS will not longer use the 2018 or 2019 tax returns.

If you have not already received all of either stimulus then the 2020 tax return has a question asking how much stimulus has been received and if an additional payment is due then it will be added to the 2020 1040 form line 30 and will be added to your 2020 refund.

(Amending or filing a 2018 or 2019 tax return to get the stimulus will be useless now.)

NOTE: the IRS will start accepting 2020 tax returns on Feb 12, 2021.

[xmasbaby0]

Seems like you already know that refunds for 2016 and earlier have been forfeited.   If there is tax owed the IRS still wants to be paid.  Software is not available for any year earlier than 2017--so if you are going to prepare those you need the paper forms to prepare by hand.

Each return must be prepared and mailed separately--do not even mail them in the same envelope.

The current online program can only be used for a 2020 return--no other year.  And if you did not file a 2019 return you will have trouble e-filing 2020.  When it asks for your 2019 AGI try using zero.  If zero does not work then you have to print, sign and mail 2020.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2017, 2018 and 2019 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2017, 2018, or 2019 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/

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

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.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

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

2015

Form 1040  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2015.pdf

Form1040 Instructions  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2015.pdf

Form1040A  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040a--2015.pdf

Form 1040A Instructions  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040a--2015.pdf

Form 1040EZ   https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040ez--2015.pdf

Form 1040EZ Instructions  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040ez--2015.pdf

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/i1040gi--2016.pdf

Form 1040EZ Instructions  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040ez.pdf

2017

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2017.pdfhttps://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2017.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

2019

2019 Instructions

 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2019.pdf

1040  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2019.pdf

1040SR  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2019.pdf

2019 Schedules 1-3

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2019.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2019.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2019.pdf

To get state forms:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/0...

[caron1981]

So I should go ahead and just file all the missing tax years for her and I can subsequently file 2020 taxes this February to claim the stimulus payments?  

 Not sure if this is true but I was told since she is missing all those taxes years the IRS would ask for those previous years taxes be file before 2020 can be processed and refunded to her. 

Bad thins is the IRS has already warned everyone filing a paper return that they would be delayed due to short staff. 

[xmasbaby0]

You are taking on a major task for this person.  Kudos to you for doing this.   I would go ahead and file them.  The only way to file them is by mail, so the sooner the better to get them into the system.     Then go ahead and prepare and e-file 2020  and see what the IRS does.   Even if there is a delay---your relative is no worse off than if you do not file them.