I (US citizen) worked in Colombia the past 9 yrs. I ignorantly didn't file taxes in US while away. What are steps to begin filing past years? Which product do I use?

[kevin_a_andrade]

I filed my Colombian taxes every year but did not file US taxes. Now that I have returned, I want to take care of this. My yearly filings were straightforward -- no investments of any sort. What do I need to begin the process? What are the first steps? Can I do it myself or should I hire an expert? Any guidance will be of great help.

[ErnieS0]

U.S. Citizens living abroad can use TurboTax CD\Desktop to file taxes. You can only file 2020 online.

TurboTax offers 2017, 2018 and 2019 prior year programs for purchase and download. You can buy the other years through some online sellers or go to an accountant.

The IRS limits refunds to three years from the original due date of the return, so you would only be able to claim a refund back to 2017 (originally due April 2018). If you have some carryforward deductions or credits, it may be possible to move those forward from prior to 2017.

Don’t Lose Your Refund by Not Filing

You can and should file prior years to show no balance due. If you owe tax, there is no limit. The IRS will continue to charge penalty and interest. You can request first-time penalty abatement.

First Time Penalty Abatement

Some or all of your income may be exempt from U.S. tax under the foreign earned income exclusion.

Any nonexempt income would qualify for a foreign tax credit or deduction since you paid tax to Colombia all those years. You can also choose not to take the foreign earned income exclusion and claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on the whole income.

[Opus 17]

For tax years before 2017, you will have to prepare your own return on paper, using the correct year forms you can download from the IRS, or you will have to see a professional.  For 2017, 2018 and 2019, you can buy Turbotax as a download or CD to install on your own computer.

The good news is that, if you are out of the US for at least 330 days of the year, all your foreign earned income (income earned from working) can be excluded from taxation.  Unearned income (investments, an apartment you rent to others, etc.) is still subject to US tax, as in any US-sourced income.  So you might not owe much at all.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-earned-income-exclusion

And for any year when you don't qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion, you still get a tax credit for foreign taxes you paid that will reduce your US taxes.

Another advantage of using a professional is that, if you do owe income tax, you probably owe a penalty that is larger than the tax by now.  A professional may be able to help you negotiate a compromise.