Be glad it was rejected or you would have a bigger mess to fix. You cannot use the online program to file W-2's from other earlier years. The online program is ONLY for income you received in 2019. No other year. If that return went through you would have a mess to spend a few months fixing.
If you need to file tax returns for 2016 and 2017, you can still do that, but you need the right software. That software must be purchased and downloaded to a full PC or Mac, not to a mobile device. And the returns must be mailed. They cannot be e-filed. That would be TWO software programs and each return has to be mailed separately. Do NOT try to combine them in any way. Each tax year has to be on the form for the specific year in which you received the income.
See below:
To file a return for a prior tax year
If you need to prepare a return for 2016, 2017, or 2018 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/
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.
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://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900990-how-do-i-file-a-prior-year-tax-return
Or--if you want to prepare those returns on paper for free and mail them, you can print out the forms to prepare by hand. Each one has to be mailed in its own envelope. Do not try to combine them in any way.
If you have a very simple return you can most likely use the 1040EZ or 1040A forms for 2016 and 2017. For those tax years there were three different choices of forms to use. The easiest of all is 1040EZ.
https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-paper-tax-returns-with-or-without-a-payment
PRIOR YEAR FORMS FROM IRS
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-pdf/f1040.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.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
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
