How To Get Previous Years Tax Returns

Back Taxes, File Previous Tax Returns

If you have to file a prior year individual income tax return, forms are listed below by tax year. Click on the forms and complete them via the PDF Editor before you sign, print and mail in the return(s). Note: The IRS is experiencing a paper return processing backlog as of 2021. You can prepare and e-file your current, 2021 tax year return on eFile.com regardless of when you mail your back tax return. Remember, prior year tax returns cannot be electronically filed anywhere. In order to claim the first two of the stimulus payment checks, you will have to file your 2020 Tax Return and claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit for missed stimulus payments. If you missed filing your 2020 return to claim a missing stimulus payment - only for stimulus 1 and 2 - you will have to file back taxes which are not be able to be e-filed since October 15, 2021.

Back Taxes
Prior 2020

You can e-file your 2021 tax return on time here on eFile.com until April 18, 2022. If you owe taxes, you might be subject to late filing and late payment fees if you wait until after the deadline to e-file your return. Additionally, consider filing a tax extension and e-file your return by October 15, 2022. Check the PENALTYucator for detailed tax penalty fees.

Filing a Late Tax Return in 2022

The timely tax filing and e-file deadlines for all previous tax years - 2020, 2019, and beyond - have passed. At this point, you can only prepare and mail in the paper tax forms to the IRS and/or state tax agencies. If you were owed a tax refund for 2017 or earlier, you can no longer claim this refund. Links to tax federal and state tax forms by tax year can be found below. See how to file back state taxes.

Important eFile.com Tax Tip: In case you have not filed a previous year tax return, do this as soon as possible and download the forms below. Why? The late filing penalty (4.5%/month of the tax amount owed, plus interest) is larger than the late payment penalty (0.5%/month, plus interest). Again, file you return and pay as little or as much as you can afford, or even nothing. Doing so will result in the higher filing penalties stopping once you have filed.

We provide all the forms, tax calculators, and tools for previous year tax returns below. Plus, you can contact one of our Taxperts to assist you with your previous year tax returns or tax amendments. In certain cases, we work interactively with taxpayers and our certified public accountant or CPA can prepare your previous year tax return with you.

Additional Information: A tax year is from January 1 - December 31 for any given year. A tax season (prepare and e-file returns for the previous calendar or tax year) is from January 1 until October 15 of any current year. During any current tax season or calendar year, a timely tax return would be prepared and e-filed for the previous calendar year. To put it simply: during January 1, 2022 - April 18, 2022, you prepare and e-file taxes for the tax year of 2021. There are tax extensions if the taxpayer is unable to file by the date which can extend the filing deadline to October 15, 2022, but not the payment deadline. If you do not owe taxes, you can prepare and e-file until the October date without filing an extension.

One more Awareness Tip: Should you expect a tax refund for a previous year tax return, you practically don't have to worry about penalties. The only penalty you may face is a self-imposed penalty because you are letting the U.S. Government hang on to money that is rightfully yours. Be aware that you can only claim your tax refund for a previous tax year within three years of the original tax return's due date or deadline. For example, you have until April 15, 2024 to claim a 2020 Tax Refund, April 15, 2023 to claim 2019 Tax Refund, and for 2018 until April 18, 2022. For all other back taxes or previous tax years, it's too late. See information about unclaimed refunds for details. Unfortunately, if you owe taxes, there is no time limit; this is only if you expect a tax refund.

Back Taxes Resources

Tax Forms, Calculators by Tax Year

2014

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2013

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2012

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2011

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2010

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2009

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2008

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2007

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2006

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2005

Tax Calculators Unavailable

2004

Tax Calculators Unavailable

eFile.com offers tax preparation and e-filing for the current tax year. Prepare and e-file your federal and state return by Tax Day so you do not have to go through the hard work of calculating taxes and sending your information through the mail. e-Filing your returns is the safest and quickest way to get your taxes done.

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