Starting with a new account, how do I start work on filing for 2017?

[bdkuehn]

I haven't done a 1040 since 2016, which was prepared by a CPA.  Turbotax seems only interested in the current year.  How do I switch the file to 2017?

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry Turbo Tax only sells the last 3 years back to 2020.  Online is only good for the current year.   You can buy the last 3 years of Turbo Tax here,

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

You will need a full Windows or Mac to install it on.

How to prepare a prior year return

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

For older returns you have to go somewhere else or get the blank forms from the IRS.   Here is the link to all the prior year IRS forms

Prior Year Forms and Instructions | Internal Revenue Service

[VolvoGirl]

If you want to try it yourself.....

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

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.

It is too late to get any tax refunds for 2017.

[bdkuehn]

Thank you for your quick answer.  

There is nothing simple about my taxes. A bankruptcy attorney suggested I try TurboTax to get my taxes up-to-date.  I'll have to let him know that TurboTax is not an option for someone in my situation. I'm in Texas so no state income tax, so at least there's that.

I had my previous taxes done by a CPA, but just couldn't afford it anymore.

Any suggestions on resources I can turn to?

[7347358310]

I received my Turbo Tax for the year 2017 through Amazon.

[xmasbaby0]

@7347358310 We are here to answer questions about TurboTax software or about preparing/filing tax returns.  We have no information to provide about other software programs that you might be able to use for past year returns, but you can google search for them yourself to see if there are any that would be useful for you.   And...of course, you are going to need to make sure you have got all of the W-2's, 1099's, and other tax documents.  Each tax year is separate, and must be filed using the forms for the specific tax year in which the income was received.  You cannot combine them in any way.

[VolvoGirl]

@7347358310   When did you buy the 2017 program?  If you get it installed you wont be able to update it or download any state programs you might need.  I wouldn't use it.