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Anyone who didn't file in 2023 but filed this year - getting Recovery Credits with 2024 return?

Hey tax folks, I'm wondering about something that might help a lot of people in our community. What happens when someone skips filing last year but files this year? Are they still eligible for unclaimed tax credits from previous years? Wouldn't it make sense that the IRS would process those missing credits once your current return is processed? Has anyone had experience with claiming prior year credits on their current return? Just trying to understand how this works for a class project I'm doing on tax literacy.

Jessica Nolan

Yes, you can absolutely claim eligible tax credits from prior years on your current return. The IRS allows taxpayers to claim previously unclaimed credits through the Recovery Rebate Credit section of your current tax return. The key eligibility factors include: 1) you must have been eligible for the original credit, 2) you didn't receive the full amount you were entitled to, and 3) you file within the statute of limitations period. Your 2024 return (for tax year 2023) can include recovery credits from previous years if properly documented.

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Angelina Farar

So if I didn't file for 2022 but I'm filing my 2023 taxes now, I can still get credits I was eligible for in 2022? Does this work for all credits or just specific ones?

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Sebastián Stevens

Thanks for explaining this! I checked the IRS.gov page on recovery credits and it seems to confirm what you're saying. Would I need to file an amended return for 2022 or can I really just claim everything on my 2023 return as you mentioned?

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Bethany Groves

I was in this exact situation. Didn't file in 2022 because I thought I didn't need to. When I filed my 2023 return this February, I included the credits I missed. Got my refund three weeks later with everything included. Just be direct with your tax software. Answer all questions honestly. The system is designed to catch these situations. No need to overcomplicate it.

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KingKongZilla

This situation is covered under IRC §6511 which specifies a three-year statute of limitations for claiming prior credits. I was extremely worried about missing out on credits from my unfiled returns, but using https://taxr.ai helped me understand exactly which recovery credits I qualified for. It analyzed my tax situation and showed me which prior credits could be claimed on my current return. What a relief to have something explain the specific regulations that applied to my situation!

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Rebecca Johnston

Filed my 2023 taxes in January after skipping 2022 (oops). Claimed my missing credits and got a nice $3,400 refund that included everything I was owed! The IRS actually processed it faster than I expected - maybe because they were happy I finally filed? 😂 Just make sure you have documentation for everything you're claiming in case they have questions later.

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Nathan Dell

When I tried resolving a similar situation with prior year credits, I spent 4 days trying to reach the IRS. Compared to my experience with state taxes (where I got through in 10 minutes), the IRS wait was unbearable. I finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected to an IRS agent within 30 minutes. The agent confirmed I could claim my missing credits and helped me understand exactly which forms to complete. Saved me countless hours of frustration.

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Maya Jackson

Be careful. I tried this. Got audited. Had to provide three years of documentation. IRS wanted proof of eligibility. They questioned everything. Not saying don't claim what you're owed. Just keep good records. Have documentation ready. Don't assume it's automatic. Better safe than sorry.

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Tristan Carpenter

Think of your tax history like a book where each year is a chapter. The IRS can read previous chapters even if you never wrote them. I had a client who hadn't filed for two years, then filed the current year. The system flagged the gap like a librarian noticing missing volumes. We had to go back and complete those years separately. The computer systems at the IRS are like complex puzzles - they need all the pieces to form a complete picture of your tax situation.

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Amaya Watson

You might want to consider filing the previous year returns separately rather than trying to claim everything on your current return. In my experience, this approach could potentially reduce your audit risk, though it might take a bit longer to process. I believe the IRS generally prefers each tax year to be handled individually, but there are certainly exceptions depending on your specific situation.

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Grant Vikers

The community consensus on this is pretty clear: you're entitled to credits from previous tax years, but there's a right way to claim them. Most tax professionals recommend filing separate returns for each missed year rather than consolidating everything into your current return. This creates a cleaner record and reduces the likelihood of processing delays or verification issues. Remember that the IRS systems are designed to track tax obligations by year, and maintaining that structure typically results in fewer complications.

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