Previous year e-filing, desktop version

[Pete60]

I know for a fact that previous year tax returns can be e-filed for up to 3 years back.Tax professionals do it all the time.

TurboTax 2019 desktop version says e-filing is closed but still allows me to choose e-file and proceed. I stopped at the point where it asked me to pay for State e-file because I don't want to pay and then have it fail, nor do I want the Fed or State returns for 2019 rejected by IRS/State in case this is somehow wrong to do.

Can anyone tell me for SURE what will happen if I proceed? Why allow it if it can't happen? Why say it can't happen, if it can?

[rjs · Accepted solution]

I don't know exactly what will happen if you try to e-file, but I know "for SURE" that it won't work. TurboTax does not allow e-filing of past-year returns, even though the IRS allows it. I can't say why they allow you to proceed as if you are going to e-file after telling you that e-filing is closed.

[Pete60]

Maybe they just want to collect that State fee first... 😉