ITIN and multiple past due returns

[sn4517]

I need to file tax returns for 2019, 2020 and 2021. No taxes are due, and I should be getting a refund for each year. I also need to apply for an ITIN for my wife. What would be the correct or optimal way to go about it? I can see the following choices:

1. File W7 for my wife and attach all three returns together. Is this allowed and/or recommended?
2. File W7 along with 2019 return.

3. File W7 along with 2021 return.

Also, will any of these choices above affect the speed of issuing of the ITIN ?

[Critter-3]

Your ONLY viable choice is to file the oldest return with the ITIN application by mail and wait for the ITIN to come in the mail so you can file the other 2 tax years.   

The 2021 can still be efiled.   If you try to send more than one tax year with the W-7 it is very possible they will not all be forwarded to the IRS once the ITIN is issued ... so you take your chances if you try sending all of them at once. 

[Critter-3]

Also you don't have to wait for the 2019 return to be processed before mailing in the 2020 or efiling the 2021.  Mailed in returns are taking 6 months to a year to process so you will have to be patient.   Enter a zero for the 2020 AGI in the 2021 FILE tab so you can efile it. 

[sn4517]

@Critter-3 Thanks for the information.