Is it too late to file my taxes.

[rozirachel]

Is it too late for filing 2017

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

No, it's not too late to file a 2017 return.  You can still prepare and efile a 2017 return with TurboTax.

There is no penalty for a late Federal return if you are due a Federal refund.

But if you owe Federal taxes, you could have a late filing penalty and a failure-to-pay penalty.  So if you owe taxes you should file as soon as you can to stop additional penalties and interest from accruing.

[hjparman]

how do i do this?

[mesquitebean]

hjparman:
You're posting in an old thread from last year.

You can still file a 2017 return, but you cannot prepare it in Online TurboTax, which is now for 2018 only.  You have to use the 2017 desktop software (CD/download.)

You can purchase 2017 desktop software as a download at this page and install it on your computer:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Minimum system requirements for Windows:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/system-requirements/help/minimum-system-requirements-for-turbotax-...

Minimum system requirements for Mac:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/system-requirements/help/minimum-system-requirements-for-turbotax-...

Or did you already start a 2017 return online prior to the 2017 online shutdown, and want to finish that without starting over?  If so, you can download the *.tax2017 data file from your account and finish it in the desktop software.    If you already paid for your product previously, TurboTax Support should furnish you the software.

The 2017 return cannot be efiled.  It will need to be printed, signed, dated, and mailed.  It is recommended to mail by a method that has tracking such as certified return receipt, priority mail, etc.

If you have both Federal and state returns, you need to mail each one separately to its respective tax agency.

If you are due a Federal refund, it takes about 6 weeks for the IRS to process a mailed return.

TIP:  If you also later prepare a 2018 return with TurboTax, it will ask for your 2017 AGI when efiling.   Since you did not file the 2017 return last year, you would instead use an AGI of 0 (zero.)

[Shawnsams]

There was two different answers.. I keep seeing that you can e-file for 2017 and it still gives the option if you downloaded the software. But it also tells you that e-filing season ended. So can I still e-file? Or should I just mail it in? I don’t want to waste my time e-filing for it it to get cancelled. Thanks

[xmasbaby0]

It is too late to e-file a 2017 return.  A 2017 tax return must be printed, signed and mailed now in 2019.

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.

[whitiepossum]

I filed my 2017 taxes January 28 of this year. I had to send in by regular mail. It was processed March 18th. I had a refund so it was no big deal. If you owe, then it's a big deal depending on how much. You lose your right to a standard deduction after so many years, I think 7 but . This can take people from expecting a refund to now you owe them.

[xmasbaby0]

@whitiepossum You are confused about several things.  You do not lose your right to the standard deduction; what happens is if you are more than three years past the filing deadline for a tax return, you forfeit your refund, even if your tax return shows you would receive one.   You would never OWE the IRS for a tax return that showed a refund even if you were more than 3 years past the deadline.  If you owed tax due, then your penalties and interest begin to accrue as of the filing deadline that you miss, so whenever you file a late return that has tax due, you can expect another bill from the IRS for the penalties and interest which they calculate based upon how much you owed and when they received your payment.

[Shawnsams]

Thank you! @xmasbaby0

[whitiepossum]

@xmasbaby0 Well it happened to me once. The IRS agent I spoke with told me that I could no longer claim the standard deduction. Maybe he was trying to scare me to death; If he was it nearly worked. I itemized the tax year in question just because he told me that. To be honest it was about 28 years ago I think so I can neither confirm or deny your point. I am however happy to hear your explanation. I apologize for providing inaccurate information, but I swear I thought it to be true for obvious reasons.

[restep]

The links you provided aren't allowing me to purchase any downloads for 2017. Do you have any other suggestions? I need to file my 2017 so I can file my FAFSA application. I'm expecting a return, so I'm not worried about penalties. 

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry this thread is a couple years old.  It came over from the old Turbo Tax forum with a June 2019 date.  The old dates are messed up.  So it is not current info.

You can only buy the download for prior years.  You have to buy a separate program for each year.  They only sell the last 3 years.  You need a full Windows or Mac computer to install it on.  Buy the download here   

  https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You have to print and mail prior year returns.  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 received the return.  Don’t forget state.

Important!  Mail Federal and State in separate envelopes and mail each year in separate envelopes.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline.  You have 3 years to file for a refund.  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.

How to file a prior year

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-prepare-a-prior-year-tax-return/00/25...

Or If you have a simple return You can fill out the blank forms for free.

Here are some blank forms & instructions for 2017

1040 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2017.pdf     

Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2017.pdf

1040A https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040a--2017.pdf    

Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040a--2017.pdf

1040EZ https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040ez--2017.pdf    

Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040ez--2017.pdf

2017 Tax Tables https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2017.pdf

Publication 17 Tax Guide for 2017 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/p17--2017.pdf

[xmasbaby0]

@restep 

Online preparation and e-filing for 2017 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2015, 2016, or 2017 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.

[luisaguisa16]

Hello xmasbaby0,

I need to file my 2017 taxes, I have my w2 form for 2017 but I live in Japan now, how can I file? Can you please email me to [email address removed] in case I don't see your reply please? Thank you!

Very respectfully,

Luis

[xmasbaby0]

@luisaguisa16 We cannot private message or personally email users.  But the answer for you is exactly the same as the one you saw in this thread.  In order to file a 2017 tax return, you need to download 2017 tax software and prepare the return on a full PC or Mac.  Then it has to be printed, signed and mailed.  It does not matter that you are not in the U.S.  That is still how it must be done.  Use a mailing service that will track it so you will know the IRS receives your 2017 return.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2017 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2015, 2016, or 2017 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.