I haven't filed taxes for several years and didn't get any stimulus checks.
Is it still possible for me to get all of the stimulus money?
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If no one could claim you as a dependent for 2020 or for 2021 then you can file tax returns for those two tax years to seek the stimulus money. You need to use the recovery rebate credit in Federal Review to get the stimulus money. The stimulus amount (recovery rebate credit) shows up on line 30 of the Form 1040.
Those returns can only be filed by mail; they cannot be e-filed.
Online preparation and e-filing for 2019 and 2020 and 2021 is permanently closed.
To file a return for a prior tax year
If you need to prepare a return for 2019, 2020 or 2021 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/
You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.
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.
Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses. Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.
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.
2020
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040gi
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2020.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2020.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2020.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2020.pdf
2021
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf
Here is the IRS 2021 Form 1040
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2021.pdf
or if you want bigger type use 1040SR for Seniors,
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2021.pdf
And 2021 Instructions
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2021.pdf
2021 Tax and EIC Tables
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2021.pdf
Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2021.pdf
Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2021.pdf
Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2021.pdf
If no one could claim you as a dependent for 2020 or for 2021 then you can file tax returns for those two tax years to seek the stimulus money. You need to use the recovery rebate credit in Federal Review to get the stimulus money. The stimulus amount (recovery rebate credit) shows up on line 30 of the Form 1040.
Those returns can only be filed by mail; they cannot be e-filed.
Online preparation and e-filing for 2019 and 2020 and 2021 is permanently closed.
To file a return for a prior tax year
If you need to prepare a return for 2019, 2020 or 2021 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/
You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.
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.
Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses. Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.
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.
2020
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040gi
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2020.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2020.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2020.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2020.pdf
2021
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf
Here is the IRS 2021 Form 1040
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2021.pdf
or if you want bigger type use 1040SR for Seniors,
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2021.pdf
And 2021 Instructions
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2021.pdf
2021 Tax and EIC Tables
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2021.pdf
Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2021.pdf
Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2021.pdf
Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2021.pdf
YES, if you were not claimed as a dependent in 2020 and 2021.
You can file your 2020 tax return to claim the first two stimulus payments as the Recovery rebate credit.
And you can file your 2021 tax return to claim the third stimulus as the Recovery rebate credit.
Please follow the instructions in this TurboTax Help article to prepare your tax returns for 2020 and 2021.
Thank you Xmasbaby and Minh for your responses, I really appreciate you both taking the time to do that for me.
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