Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 2
posted May 21, 2021 4:08:27 PM

For previous years (2019,2018) can I use the IRS Free File Program (delivered by TurboTax, Intuit Tax Freedom Project, lower-income tax filers) for self employed work?

This would include Rideshare work.

0 6 1502
1 Best answer
Level 15
May 21, 2021 4:19:07 PM

Sorry, Online for 2019 and prior is closed now so you can not start a new 2019 or prior return or finish one. Online is only for 2020. Oct 15, was the last day to efile.  2019 is now the prior year. If you entered 2019 into the 2020 online version you should clear out your online return so you can use it for 2020.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-online/00/26444

Did you start an Online return? How to finish a prior year online return
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-finish-a-prior-year-return-that-i-started-in-turbotax-online/00/26322

Or How to file a prior year
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-prepare-a-prior-year-tax-return/00/25984

You can only buy the download for prior years. You have to buy a separate program for each year. They only sell the last 3 years. You need a full Windows or Mac computer to install it on. Buy the download here
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You have to print and mail prior year returns. 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 received the return. Don’t forget state.

Important! Mail Federal and State in separate envelopes and mail each year in separate envelopes.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline. You have 3 years to file for a refund. 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.

If you want to file for free you can fill out the forms by hand. Here are some basic forms…..

Here is the IRS 2019 Form 1040
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2019.pdf

or if you want bigger type use 1040SR for Seniors,
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2019.pdf

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

2019 Tax and EIC Tables
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2019.pdf

Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2019.pdf
Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2019.pdf
Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2019.pdf

Then when you do file 2020 enter 0 for the 2019 AGI since you are filing 2019 late.

I have links for other years too.

6 Replies
Level 15
May 21, 2021 4:18:38 PM

No that's only for the current year.  

Level 15
May 21, 2021 4:18:59 PM

No.  That is only for the 2020 tax year.   2018 & 2019 can only now be done on a Mac or Windows computer using the download software an can only be mailed.

 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Level 15
May 21, 2021 4:19:07 PM

Sorry, Online for 2019 and prior is closed now so you can not start a new 2019 or prior return or finish one. Online is only for 2020. Oct 15, was the last day to efile.  2019 is now the prior year. If you entered 2019 into the 2020 online version you should clear out your online return so you can use it for 2020.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-clear-and-start-over-in-turbotax-online/00/26444

Did you start an Online return? How to finish a prior year online return
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-finish-a-prior-year-return-that-i-started-in-turbotax-online/00/26322

Or How to file a prior year
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-prepare-a-prior-year-tax-return/00/25984

You can only buy the download for prior years. You have to buy a separate program for each year. They only sell the last 3 years. You need a full Windows or Mac computer to install it on. Buy the download here
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You have to print and mail prior year returns. 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 received the return. Don’t forget state.

Important! Mail Federal and State in separate envelopes and mail each year in separate envelopes.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline. You have 3 years to file for a refund. 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.

If you want to file for free you can fill out the forms by hand. Here are some basic forms…..

Here is the IRS 2019 Form 1040
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2019.pdf

or if you want bigger type use 1040SR for Seniors,
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2019.pdf

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

2019 Tax and EIC Tables
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2019.pdf

Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2019.pdf
Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2019.pdf
Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2019.pdf

Then when you do file 2020 enter 0 for the 2019 AGI since you are filing 2019 late.

I have links for other years too.

Level 15
May 21, 2021 4:20:41 PM

The TurboTax Free File Program is only for the current tax year, 2020.

 

To complete and file a prior year tax return, 2018 or 2019, using TurboTax you would need to purchase, download and install on a personal computer one of the desktop editions for each tax year from this website - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

 

A prior year tax return can only be printed and mailed, it cannot be e-filed.

Level 2
May 21, 2021 4:30:08 PM

Okay, I appreciate it. Do you know how its different then the self employed version? 

Level 15
May 21, 2021 4:53:08 PM

The download Home & Business is the same thing - just a different name.