Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 7, 2019 3:55:28 PM

Tax Year Prior to 2020: Can I still file a w2 from a previous year if yes what's the longest you can wait?

0 36 63680
24 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 7, 2019 3:55:29 PM

You cannot file a prior year's W2, along with this year's tax return. You must file it by amending that year's tax return. There is a time limit on amending the return. You have three years from the date you filed your original tax return or two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. 

If you need directions on filing an amendment, please view the Turbo Tax FAQ below.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3288565

Expert Alumni
Jan 9, 2020 4:41:08 PM

No, you can not file a prior year W-2 with your tax return for the current year.

If you did not file a tax return for the year you received the W-2 then file a tax return for that year to include the W-2

If you did file you will have to file an amended tax return for the year in which you did not report the W-2 on your tax return.

You may file your amended tax return with TurboTax even if you did not use TurboTax to file the original tax return.

The link  Amending past year tax return will provide you with the information on how to file an amended tax return with TurboTax.

New Member
Jan 20, 2020 1:06:23 AM

My brother did something like this . What is he suppose to do since it’s already filed ? What’s his penalty? 

Level 15
Jan 20, 2020 4:19:22 AM

@Lexus A 

 

IF he put a prior year W-2 on this year's tax return...and has actually filed it.

 

Then he has to wait for the IRS computers to respond as to whether they "Accept" or "Reject" his tax filing.  (Expected to start sometime the week of 27 Jan)

 

1) IF the IRS computers Reject his tax file (pray for that) he can just "EDIT" his tax data, removing the wrong-year W-2 form(s) data, and re-e-file.  (DO NOT AMEND)

 

2) IF the IRS computers Accept his tax file...then he first must wait for his refund (or pay any balance due  if that was the case)….then in late Feb or March, he would AMEND his tax return.....take out the prior year W-2 (and make any other changes needed)  print out that amended tax return, and take it to the Post office to mail it in.  Amended tax returns can only be mail-filed.

_____________________________________

Tax returns for 2018 and earlier can only be prepared using the Desktop software, installed on a full MAC or Windows home computer.  Each year must be done separately, and filed separately on paper.  No e-filing for those prior years.

 

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

New Member
Jan 27, 2020 1:27:31 PM

@SteamTrain so does that mean if I want to file my w2 from 2018, i will need to have it filed separately as well as on desktop software, not online efile with TurboTax?

Expert Alumni
Jan 27, 2020 1:32:05 PM

You can still file your 2018 W-2 online with the previous years product click here: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

 

Once you prepare the 2018 return, you can e-file it online as well and select how you want your refund or how you will paid your taxes owed. 

Level 1
Jan 28, 2020 3:53:11 PM

Dude what the heck do i do if i entered in the information of one w-2 form last april for 2018 taxes and I saved my progress but I did not have the other w-2 form until a few days ago? If i had to download the software to file my two 2018 W-2's would my information I entered in and saved still be there? :0

Expert Alumni
Jan 28, 2020 3:58:35 PM

Did you file your 2018 with the missing W-2 or did you not file 2018?

Level 1
Jan 29, 2020 3:13:48 PM

I did not file because I didn't have my other W-2, I entered in the information for the W-2 form I did have and saved my progress when filing online. So I did not file and did not enter in the info from the other W-2.

Expert Alumni
Jan 29, 2020 3:55:54 PM

The 2019 W-2 should be reported on the 2019 tax return.

 

I understand that you have not yet filed your 2018 tax return.  The 2018 W-2 will have to be reported on the 2018 tax return.

 

The 2018 tax return cannot be e-filed.  It will have to be paper-filed.  You will be attaching copies of your 2018 W-2’s to the 2018 tax return when you mail it to the IRS.

 

New Member
Feb 4, 2020 4:09:32 PM

So I'm on turbo tax and I filled out my W-2 for my last job but could I file another w2 on turbo tax for a job I worked in 2017 and 18? 

Level 15
Feb 4, 2020 4:13:35 PM

@dylancole997 

 

NO...Online only does 2019 taxes now.

____________________

For any other year you need to buy that year's software, download it to a full MAC or Windows computer, install the software, prepare the tax forms, print them and file by mail.

 

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

 

 

New Member
Feb 28, 2020 4:13:19 PM

I accidentally filed on of my prior year with this years and I received a letter that I need to amend it. How do I do that? 

Expert Alumni
Feb 28, 2020 4:20:26 PM
New Member
Feb 29, 2020 8:06:16 AM

I forgot a W-2 on my 2018 tax return. Now, get this... I only earned from this employer $600 total and paid $0 in federal taxes. The IRS charged me $2,700 because I accidentally forgot about a W2. And now, they took that from this year's return. $2,700 because I forgot a W2 that I only made $600 on.

New Member
Feb 29, 2020 8:09:35 AM

When I simulated my taxes, I have determined that adding this one W2 would have decreased my taxes only by $70. So, I was overpaid $70, which means, the IRS charged me over $2,600 in late fees and penalties. That's highway robbery.

Expert Alumni
Feb 29, 2020 3:27:29 PM

The total you paid was not penalty and interest-when someone forgets to add any tax form with taxable income, the entire return is recalculated which can change your tax rate or the amount of credits or deductions.  

@donaldf1982

Level 2
Mar 5, 2020 8:25:39 AM

Okay I had two w-2s last year I only filed one.I didn't have a W-2 this year to file so I used the other one from last year that I didn't file. Is there going to be an issue? 

Level 2
Mar 5, 2020 8:31:51 AM

Even if you're only going to file the W-2 from the prior-year.? I had two last year from two separate companies and I only used one of them. so this year I filed normal and only used the w2 I didn't use last year.? Is that fine or is it going to be an issue and I'm going to have to fix it!

Level 15
Mar 5, 2020 8:32:26 AM

@jdsmith93  Yes that's a big problem.  You have to file each year separately.  You needed to report all your income last year on the same return.  You now need to amend your 2018 return to add the other W2.  And if your 2019 return was accepted with last year's W2 on it you need to amend 2019 to take if off.

 

Was it for 2018?  How to amend 2018

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-do-i-amend-my-2018-turbotax-online-return/00/961385 

 

To Amend 2019

You cannot change or add anything on the return that you e-filed.  It is too late, just like when you put an envelope in a US mailbox

Now you have to wait until the IRS either rejects or accepts your return. If your return is rejected, you will be able to go into your account and add or change it and resend it.

If the IRS accepts your return, then you have to wait until it has been fully processed and you have received your refund or paid the tax due. THEN you can prepare an amended tax return 1040X and mail it in. You cannot e-file an amended return.  Meanwhile, DO NOT change anything on your return until you start the amended return. If you did change or add the missing info then take it out and put your return back to the way it was when you first filed it.

You can check your efiling status here,
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

How to amend an Online return
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/amending/help/how-do-i-amend-my-turbotax-online-return/00/27577

Level 2
Mar 5, 2020 8:39:20 AM

So if I've got a w-2 for this year,is it too late because I already made the mistake of filing 2018's  w2 for this year?what should I do? just wait until it's done.because it was accepted and it's saying being processed at irs.gov?

 

 

Level 2
Mar 5, 2020 8:41:40 AM

The w2 I filed this year was for 2018.? I didn't file it then but what should I do. But I didn't file anything else. But the w2 I didn't file last year. It was accepted and when I go on irs.gov to check it it says being processed.

Level 15
Mar 5, 2020 8:45:17 AM

You need to amend 2019 to take off the 2018 W2s and to add the 2019 W2s.  I would wait for the IRS to finish processing the wrong one and see if they send you the refund from it.

Level 2
Mar 5, 2020 9:02:34 AM

Ok say they send me the refund. What should I do? Will it give me problems next year when I file? And is it likely for them to send me the refund. It was accepted February 18th how long does it usually take