Filing back taxes with TurboTax Freedom edition

[shahmeran]

I am a low income filer who is eligible for FreeFile. In the past, I've only used the TurboTax Freedom edition. It's got all the forms I need for my 1040 and it's free. I've got some oddball deductions and Freedom edition handles them just fine.

Unfortunately, I was out of the country and missed the October 2019 filing date cutoff for my 2018 return. The TurboTax Freedom edition (and all the other FreeFile resources) have closed for the season. I don't owe any taxes but I do need to file my 2018 return.

Is it possible to file a late 2018 return through FreeFile when the program reopens in January 2020? Or will I be limited to working on my 2019 return?

I prefer doing my taxes online and filing electronically. But I really don't want to pay for a 2018 product download to file my late return. Some of these products are not compatible with their FreeFile edition and won't allow me to import information from the previous year when I prepare my 2019 return.

[Critter]

You are too late to file for free.  You missed the deadline.

Online tax preparation and e-filing for 2018 returns is now permanently closed.  You had until midnight on Tuesday, October 15 to finish and attempt to e-file; if your e-file was rejected you had until October 20 to make corrections and re-file. Now it is too late to efile any return … they must be mailed in.

To finish a prior year return started in TT online:https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2559403-how-do-i-finish-a-prior-year-return-that-i-started-in-turb

If you already paid for your online software you can ask customer support for a download of the desktop software.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number

If you didn't already pay for your 2018 product prior to the shutdown, you can either purchase directly from the TurboTax website as mentioned above, or you may find the product at a discount as a download at Amazon, etc.    CAUTION:  There are a lot of scam sites, so do not try to purchase from any "too-good-to-be-true" discount site on the Internet that you find in a search.   You might end up with pirated software, ID theft, malware, etc.   Only a few large well-known sites like Amazon, NewEgg, Staples, Office Depot, etc., are authorized to sell TurboTax downloads.

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 and/or your state received the return.

If you are getting a refund, there is no penalty for filing late.  If you owe tax due, then file and pay the amount due as shown on the Form 1040, but expect a bill later from the IRS for the penalty and interest you will owe.  Only the IRS will calculate this—TurboTax will not calculate it.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/prior-year-return/help/how-do-i-finish-a-prior-year-return-that-i-...

If you want to just get the forms and prepare them by hand, that would be free--except for postage to mail them.

Here is the new IRS 2018 Form 1040
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf
And instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf
2018 Tax and EIC Tables https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040tt.pdf

IRS 2018 Schedules 1 thru 6
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s1.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s2.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s3.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s4.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s5.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s6.pdf

Don’t forget your state. And you will have to print and mail your returns.  So be sure to attach copies of your W2s and any 1099s that have withholding on them.  You have to mail federal and state in separate envelopes because they go to different places.  Get a tracking number from the post office when you mail them for proof of filing.

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

Sorry, but you cannot complete a 2018 tax return using the Freedom edition any longer.  Nor can you use the 2019 Freedom edition to complete the 2018 tax return.  The 2019 Freedom edition can only be used to compete a 2019 tax return and should be available in mid January 2020.

At this time your only option using TurboTax to complete a 2018 tax return is to use the 2018 desktop editions.  You would need to purchase, download and install on personal computer, Win or Mac, one the 2018 desktop editions from this website - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

The 2018 tax return can only be printed and mailed, it cannot be e-filed.

Your other option, if you want to complete a 2018 federal tax return at no charge, is to get the forms, schedules and instructions for free from this IRS website - https://apps.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/priorFormPublication.html

[shahmeran]

@DoninGA Thank you so much for actually reading my question and addressing that specific issue (instead of block copying a bunch of generic information). 

I will see if I can find a discounted version of 2018 TT Premier. The last time I paid for TT, Premier was the only version that could handle my deductions. Not sure whether the 2019 Freedom edition can import these files though. I may need to manually re-enter the information.

[Critter]

When using the Downloaded version ANY of them will do so look for the Deluxe to save a couple of $$  BUT if you need/want a state program make sure the unit has the state since it is sold both ways.  

[greedy 107]

Need to file 2016 17 and 18 taxes

[DoninGA]

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@greedy 107 wrote:

Need to file 2016 17 and 18 taxes

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To complete and file prior year tax returns, 2016 thru 2018, using TurboTax you would need to purchase, download and install on a personal computer each tax year needed from this website - https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Prior year tax returns can only be printed and mailed, they cannot be e-filed.  Use separate envelopes for each tax year when mailing.  

Print, sign, date and mail the tax return to the IRS.  Include with the mailed return any forms W-2 and 1099 which have taxes withheld for each tax year.