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Yes, you can absolutely use TurboTax or TaxAct to file your 2020 and 2021 returns! I was in a similar situation last year with unfiled returns from 2019 and 2020. Here are the key things I learned: 1. You'll need to purchase the desktop software for each specific tax year - don't use the current year's software for prior years 2. Since you're owed federal refunds, there are no penalties from the IRS for filing late (they don't penalize you for being slow to collect money they owe you) 3. Your state penalties will vary, but most charge around 5% per month for failure to file plus interest The process is pretty straightforward once you get started. I'd recommend gathering all your documents first (W-2s, 1099s, receipts, etc.) for both years before you begin. You can file both years simultaneously - no need to wait for 2020 to process before submitting 2021. One tip: consider e-filing if the software allows it for those years, as it processes much faster than paper filing. Good luck getting this sorted out - it's not as overwhelming as it seems once you dive in!
Kai Santiago
ā¢This is really reassuring! I'm dealing with a similar mess - missed filing 2020 and 2021 due to some personal chaos, and like Juan, I'm pretty sure I'm owed federal refunds but will owe my state. Quick question: when you say "desktop software for each specific tax year," do you mean I need to buy TurboTax 2020 AND TurboTax 2021 separately? That seems expensive but if it gets this nightmare resolved, I'm willing to pay for it. Also, did you run into any issues with the IRS questioning why your returns were so late, or do they pretty much just process them without hassle once submitted?
Eve Freeman
ā¢Yes, you'll need to purchase separate software for each tax year - TurboTax 2020 and TurboTax 2021 as separate purchases. It does add up cost-wise, but it's necessary because each year's tax laws and forms are different. You can usually find older versions at a discount compared to the current year. As for the IRS questioning late filings - they really don't care as long as you don't owe them money. When you're getting a refund, they process it just like any other return. No interrogation, no special paperwork explaining why it's late. The only time they get pushy is when you owe them money and haven't paid. Your state is a different story though - they'll definitely charge penalties and interest since you owe them, but again, no questioning about why it's late. They're just happy to finally get their money plus the extra fees!
Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact situation! I had unfiled returns for 2019, 2020, and 2021 due to a combination of job loss and family health issues. Here's what worked for me: 1. **TaxAct was cheaper than TurboTax** for multiple prior years - saved me about $60 total compared to TurboTax's pricing for older versions. 2. **Gather everything first** - I spent a weekend collecting all my tax documents before starting anything. Having everything organized made the process so much smoother. 3. **State amnesty programs are real** - My state (Michigan) had a voluntary disclosure program that cut my penalties in half. Definitely worth checking if your state offers something similar. 4. **E-file worked for both 2020 and 2021** - Got my federal refunds in about 3 weeks each, which was way faster than I expected for late returns. The whole thing took me about 2 weeks from start to finish, and honestly, the anticipation and dread was worse than actually doing it. You've got this! The software walks you through everything step by step, and since you're getting federal refunds, the IRS will be happy to send you your money once you file. One last tip: If you have any self-employment income or complicated deductions, consider getting a tax pro to review everything before you submit. Sometimes the extra cost is worth the peace of mind.
Chloe Taylor
ā¢Thank you for sharing such detailed info! I'm curious about the state amnesty programs - how did you find out about Michigan's voluntary disclosure program? Did you have to search their tax department website specifically, or is there a general resource that lists which states offer these programs? I'm in Texas and wondering if they have something similar that could help reduce my penalties.
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Daniel White
I had this exact issue last year with a family trust. I received a distribution on February 28, 2022 that the trust counted toward their 2021 taxes using the 65-day rule. My tax preparer initially included it on my 2021 return, but after researching further, we amended to report it on my 2022 return instead, since that's when I actually received the money. The key document that clarified this for us was the explanation of the Section 663(b) election in IRS Publication 559. It specifies that the election only affects the trust's deduction timing, not the beneficiary's income recognition. The beneficiary includes the amount in income for the year in which it's received.
Nolan Carter
ā¢Did you face any issues with the amendment? I'm in a similar situation where I reported a trust distribution on last year's return, but now I think it should have been on this year's return since I received it in January. I'm worried about penalties if I amend.
I didn't face any penalties for the amendment since I was correcting the reporting to match the proper tax treatment. The IRS generally doesn't penalize taxpayers for good faith efforts to report income correctly, especially when the error was due to confusion about complex trust rules like the 65-day election. In your case, if you received the distribution in January but reported it on the previous year's return, you should definitely amend. The key is to file the amendment as soon as you realize the error. Include a brief explanation with your amended return about the Section 663(b) election timing issue. My tax preparer also recommended keeping documentation showing when I actually received the distribution (bank records, etc.) in case there were ever questions. The amendment process was straightforward - we filed a 1040X for the year I incorrectly reported the income (removing it) and then included it properly on the correct year's return. No penalties, just a small refund for the year I over-reported income.
Nia Davis
As someone who has dealt with multiple trust distributions over the years, I can confirm that the beneficiary reporting follows actual receipt date, not the trust's election year. However, I want to add an important practical consideration that hasn't been mentioned yet. Make sure to coordinate with your trust administrator about the timing of K-1 preparation. In my experience, when trusts use the 65-day election, there can be delays in getting the K-1 because the trustee needs to finalize both the current year distributions and any 65-day election distributions before completing the tax return. I've found it helpful to request from the trust administrator a preliminary distribution summary showing what distributions were made when, and whether any 65-day elections will be used. This helps me plan my tax filing timeline and avoid surprises when the K-1 arrives. The character of the income (ordinary vs. capital gains) will flow through to you regardless of the timing election the trust makes. One last tip: keep detailed records of when you actually received each distribution, including bank deposit dates. This documentation has been invaluable when working with my tax preparer to ensure everything is reported correctly.
This is excellent practical advice! I wish I had known about requesting a preliminary distribution summary before filing my taxes. I ended up having to file an extension because the K-1 was delayed due to exactly what you described - the trust had to sort out both regular distributions and a 65-day election. One question though: when you say to keep records of bank deposit dates, does it matter if there's a delay between when the trust issues the distribution and when it actually hits your bank account? For example, if the trust cuts a check on February 10th but I don't deposit it until February 20th, which date matters for tax reporting purposes?
Great question about the timing between check issuance and deposit! From my experience, what matters for tax purposes is when you have "constructive receipt" of the income, which is generally when the check is available to you, not when you actually deposit it. So in your example, if the trust cuts a check on February 10th and makes it available to you (either by mailing it or having it ready for pickup), that's typically your receipt date for tax purposes, even if you don't deposit it until February 20th. The key is that you had access to and control over the funds. However, I'd recommend documenting both dates - when the check was issued/made available and when you deposited it. This gives you a complete paper trail. Some tax professionals prefer to use the actual deposit date if there's a significant delay, especially if there were legitimate reasons you couldn't access the funds immediately. The safest approach is to discuss the specific timing with your tax preparer, as they can advise based on your particular circumstances. But generally, constructive receipt is the controlling factor for income recognition timing.
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Luca Russo
As someone who's dealt with similar K-1 corrections, I'd recommend taking a middle-ground approach that balances compliance with practicality. Since you're the sole shareholder and there's no tax liability impact, you have more flexibility than most. Here's what I'd suggest: First, create a comprehensive correction memo documenting the original error, the corrected amounts, and explicitly stating there's no change to tax liability. Include calculations showing your correct stock basis before and after. Then issue yourself an amended K-1 clearly marked "AMENDED" and reference the memo. For the 1120-S question - if you're really concerned about potential IRS matching issues down the road, consider calling them directly to ask about your specific situation. Sometimes getting their guidance on record can provide peace of mind and documentation that you acted in good faith. The reality is that basis-tracking corrections rarely trigger enforcement action when there's no revenue impact, but having solid documentation is what protects you regardless. Your $800 accounting fee seems steep for what's essentially a paperwork correction with no tax consequences.
This is exactly the balanced approach I was looking for! The idea of calling the IRS directly for guidance on my specific situation is brilliant - having their input on record would definitely give me peace of mind. Quick question about the correction memo - should I include the actual dollar amounts that were incorrect, or is it sufficient to just state the nature of the error (e.g., "distribution amount was overstated") and reference the amended K-1 for the specific figures? I want to make sure the documentation is thorough enough without creating unnecessary complexity. Also, has anyone had success getting through to the IRS business line recently? I know wait times can be brutal, but if there are any tips for the best times to call or which number works best, I'd really appreciate it!
Definitely include the actual dollar amounts in your memo - specificity is key for good documentation. I'd structure it as: "Original K-1 showed distribution of $X, corrected amount should be $Y, resulting in basis adjustment from $A to $B." This level of detail shows you've done the math properly and makes it clear to anyone reviewing later exactly what was wrong and how it was fixed. For calling the IRS, I've had the best luck calling the business line (1-800-829-4933) right when they open at 7 AM local time, or interestingly, right around lunch time (12-1 PM) when call volume sometimes dips. Avoid Mondays and the day after holidays at all costs. Also, have your EIN and all relevant tax year info ready before you call - they'll ask for it immediately. If you get disconnected or can't get through after a reasonable attempt, that's actually when services like Claimyr that others mentioned might be worth considering, since they can automate the repetitive calling process while you focus on other things.
AstroAlpha
I've been following this thread and wanted to share my recent experience with a nearly identical situation. As a single-member S-corp owner, I had an incorrect distribution amount on my K-1 that needed correction for proper basis tracking, with zero impact on actual tax liability. After weighing all the options discussed here, I ended up taking the documentation approach rather than filing formal amendments. I created a detailed correction memo (including specific dollar amounts as suggested), issued myself an amended K-1 clearly marked "AMENDED," and documented everything in corporate minutes. The key insight from my research was that the IRS matching system primarily flags discrepancies that affect tax revenue, not basis-only corrections. Since this was purely a bookkeeping adjustment with no change to taxable income, the risk of enforcement action was minimal. What really helped was calling the IRS business practitioner hotline and speaking with an agent who confirmed that for sole-shareholder situations with no tax impact, proper documentation of the correction is typically sufficient. Having that conversation on record gave me the confidence to avoid unnecessary amendment fees. Six months later, no issues whatsoever. Sometimes the technically "correct" approach isn't always the most practical, especially when you're dealing with clerical corrections that don't affect the government's tax collection.
This is really reassuring to hear from someone who actually went through the process! The fact that you got direct IRS guidance confirming the approach makes a huge difference. I'm curious - when you called the business practitioner hotline, did you need any special credentials or tax preparer status, or were you able to get through as just the business owner? Also, your point about the IRS matching system focusing on revenue-affecting discrepancies makes total sense. It seems like the consensus here is that basis-only corrections with proper documentation are low-risk situations, especially for single-shareholder entities. Thanks for sharing the real-world outcome - it's exactly the kind of follow-up that makes these discussions valuable for others facing similar issues.
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As someone who works in tax compliance, I want to add a crucial point that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're going to claim massage therapy as a business expense, make sure you're consistent with how you treat ALL your health-related expenses. The IRS looks for patterns during audits. If you're deducting massages as business expenses but claiming other work-related health costs (like ergonomic equipment, supportive shoes, etc.) as medical expenses, it could raise red flags. Pick one classification strategy and stick with it across all similar expenses. Also, since you mentioned you're a hairdresser - if you rent a booth or chair rather than being a direct employee, you're likely self-employed and would have much better luck with the business expense route on Schedule C. Employee hairdressers have very limited options for unreimbursed employee expenses after the 2017 tax changes. Keep receipts, document the connection to your work, and consider having your chiropractor write a brief letter explaining how regular massage prevents work-related injuries in your specific profession. That documentation could be invaluable if you're ever questioned about these deductions.
This is really helpful advice about consistency! I'm new to understanding tax deductions and wondering - if I'm an employee hairdresser (not booth rental), does that mean I basically can't deduct these massage expenses at all anymore? You mentioned the 2017 tax changes eliminated unreimbursed employee expenses - does that apply to all work-related health costs or just certain types? Also, when you say "pick one classification strategy," do you mean I should classify ALL my work-related health expenses as either business OR medical, but not mix them? Like if I choose to treat massages as medical expenses, then my ergonomic chair pad and special work shoes should also be medical expenses rather than trying to claim some as business costs?
Omar Zaki
ā¢@Andre Rousseau You re'correct - the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated the deduction for unreimbursed employee expenses for most workers through 2025. So if you re'a W-2 employee hairdresser not (self-employed ,)you generally cannot deduct work-related expenses like massages, tools, or uniforms on your federal return. However, some states still allow these deductions on state tax returns, so check your state s'rules. Your best bet as an employee might be to ask your employer about setting up a Health Savings Account HSA (or) Flexible Spending Account FSA (that) could potentially cover medically necessary massages with proper documentation. And yes, you should be consistent with classification. If you re'self-employed and choose to treat massages as business expenses, then other work-related health items ergonomic (equipment, supportive footwear should) logically follow the same classification if they re'primarily for maintaining your ability to work rather than treating a diagnosed medical condition. The key is demonstrating a clear, logical approach to how you categorize these expenses rather than cherry-picking the most advantageous classification for each individual item.
Rhett Bowman
I'm a massage therapist who works with a lot of professionals in physically demanding jobs like hairdressers, and I wanted to add some perspective from the provider side. When clients ask me about tax deductions, I always recommend they get documentation before we start regular sessions. I can write a detailed treatment plan that specifically addresses work-related muscular issues and prevention of repetitive stress injuries. This creates a paper trail from day one rather than trying to justify it retroactively. For hairdressers specifically, I document how the treatment addresses cervical strain from looking down at clients, shoulder impingement from extended arm positioning, and lower back tension from prolonged standing. The more specific the documentation connects to your actual job duties, the stronger your case becomes. One thing I've noticed - clients who treat these sessions as preventive maintenance rather than just relaxation tend to have better success with deductions. Keep a brief log after each session noting which work-related issues were addressed and how it helps you maintain your productivity. The IRS seems to respond better to "this prevents injury that would stop me from working" rather than "this makes me feel better.
This is exactly the kind of professional insight I was hoping to find! As someone just starting to think about these deductions, I'm curious - when you write these treatment plans, do you need any special credentials or certifications beyond your massage therapy license? And how detailed should the documentation be? For example, would something like "Client experiences cervical strain and shoulder tension from 8+ hours daily of overhead arm positioning and forward head posture required for hairdressing services" be sufficient, or does it need to be more medical/technical in language? I want to make sure I'm asking my massage therapist for the right kind of documentation that will actually hold up if questioned.
ShadowHunter
Tell your coworker to google "IRS frivolous tax arguments" and look at the official IRS website. They literally have a whole section dedicated to debunking these exact schemes and warning about the $5,000 penalty for submitting these arguments. Also search for "tax protester cases" to see how many people have gone to PRISON for this stuff!
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Diego Ramirez
ā¢My tax professor in college showed us cases where people got 3-5 years in federal prison for promoting these schemes! And those were just the people SELLING the idea, not even the ones following it. Scary stuff.
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Summer Green
Your instincts are spot on - this is absolutely a scam and your coworker is playing with fire. I work in tax compliance and see the aftermath of these schemes regularly. The "Revocation of Election" is complete nonsense with no legal basis whatsoever. The scary thing is that people can get away with it for a few years, which makes them think they're safe. But the IRS has up to 6 years (or indefinitely in cases of fraud/non-filing) to come after you. When they do, it's devastating - we're talking about accumulated interest, failure-to-file penalties, failure-to-pay penalties, plus that $5,000 frivolous filing penalty for each year. I've seen cases where someone owed $15K in actual taxes but ended up owing over $60K after penalties and interest. Your coworker needs to get back into compliance immediately before this gets worse. The longer he waits, the more expensive this mistake becomes.
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Ethan Scott
ā¢This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been trying to figure out how to approach my coworker about this without coming across as preachy. The numbers you mentioned really put it in perspective - turning a $15K tax bill into $60K+ is absolutely insane. Do you think there's any hope for someone to get penalties reduced if they voluntarily come forward before the IRS catches them? Or is he basically stuck with whatever massive bill has been accumulating? I'm hoping if I can show him there might be some way to minimize the damage by acting now, he might actually listen.
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