Best E-File Options for 2020-2021 Tax Returns? Need Alternative Services!

I'm trying to e-file my tax returns from 2020 and 2021 but running into some roadblocks. Currently living abroad so mailing them is both pricey and super slow from where I am. I've been researching e-file options and so far found: FreeTaxUSA - they'll let me e-file 2021 returns electronically, but for some reason they won't accept 2020 e-file (only paper filing for that year). GetYourRefund - this actually looks perfect for my situation but they don't open until February and I really don't want to wait that long. Does anyone know other options for e-filing previous years? I'm totally fine paying a reasonable fee for the service - at this point I just want to get these returns submitted without having to deal with international mail. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

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19 comments

Keith Davidson

•8M

For prior year returns like 2020-2021, your e-file options are definitely more limited than current year filings. Here's what you should know: For 2020 returns, most commercial software won't allow e-filing because the IRS systems have specific cutoff dates for each tax year. That's why FreeTaxUSA only offers e-file for 2021 but not 2020. Your best option might be TaxAct or TaxSlayer - both still support e-filing for 2021, and sometimes they have extended e-file windows for 2020 depending on when you're trying to file. H&R Block's online software might also still support 2020 e-filing. If those don't work, consider using a tax professional with access to professional tax software (like Lacerte or ProSeries) as they typically have longer e-file windows for prior years than consumer software does.

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Keith Davidson

•8M

TaxAct and TaxSlayer typically charge around $40-60 per prior year return, though prices may have increased recently. Their deluxe or premium versions might cost more but include better guidance for more complex situations. Using a tax professional would definitely cost more, probably in the $150-300 range per return depending on complexity. However, they might be worth it if your returns have any complications like foreign income, investments, or self-employment. Plus, they can often e-file years that consumer software no longer supports.

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Ana Erdoğan

•8M

I was in literally the exact same situation last year - had to file 2019 and 2020 while living in Singapore. After trying a bunch of options, I ended up using https://taxr.ai and it was surprisingly helpful. Their system analyzed my documents and gave me step-by-step guidance on how to handle the weird international aspects of my returns. The coolest part was they could actually process and interpret all my foreign tax documents and help me figure out which forms I needed. It made the whole foreign earned income exclusion thing way less confusing than when I tried to do it myself.

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Ana Erdoğan

•8M

They don't file directly, but they guide you through the entire process and tell you exactly which service to use for electronic filing based on your specific return details. They basically analyzed all my docs and gave me a complete plan. For international situations, I was really impressed with how it handled my specific treaty questions. It caught a provision in the US-Singapore tax treaty that would have cost me over $2,000 if I missed it. It definitely understood the complexities of foreign tax credits and gave me step-by-step instructions for each form.

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Elijah Knight

•8M

I was initially skeptical about taxr.ai but decided to give it a try after struggling with my 2020 return filing from Japan. Holy crap, I was blown away by how well it worked! The system actually found a mistake in how I was calculating my foreign housing exclusion that would have cost me over $1,200. What impressed me most was how it handled my foreign bank account reporting requirements - it identified exactly which accounts needed FBAR filing and which were exempt. The step-by-step guidance made the whole process actually understandable, and they connected me with a service that could e-file both my 2020 and 2021 returns. Definitely worth checking out if you're filing from overseas.

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Brooklyn Foley

•8M

If you're really stuck trying to get those returns e-filed, especially the 2020 one, you might want to try calling the IRS directly using https://claimyr.com. I needed to file some back returns last year and was getting nowhere with the regular options. I tried calling the IRS for weeks but could never get through - always got the "due to high call volume" message and they'd hang up. Then I tried this service where they basically wait on hold for you and call when an actual agent is on the line. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I finally spoke with gave me specific instructions for my situation that none of the tax software companies knew about. Apparently there's a special e-file program for certain prior year returns that most consumer services don't have access to.

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Brooklyn Foley

•8M

It's not weird at all - they have a system that waits on hold so you don't have to. When an actual IRS agent picks up, they call your phone and connect you directly. You don't waste hours listening to the hold music. The IRS absolutely does have programs they don't advertise widely. The agent explained they have a specific program for taxpayers abroad who need to e-file prior years. They gave me contact information for their International Taxpayer Advocate office who helped me get access to e-file my 2019 and 2020 returns. It's not some secret conspiracy - it's just that regular customer service reps at tax software companies don't know about these special cases.

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Jessica Suarez

•8M

I stand completely corrected about Claimyr. After reading the last post, I tried it because I was desperate to file my 2020 return electronically. I was 100% sure it would be a waste of money, but I was wrong. The service got me through to an IRS agent in the international department within 2 hours (instead of the countless failed attempts I'd made over several weeks). The agent directed me to their special program for overseas filers and walked me through the entire process. I was able to e-file both my 2020 and 2021 returns using their portal for international taxpayers, which I would have NEVER found on my own. Sometimes being proven wrong is actually the best outcome!

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Marcus Williams

•8M

If all else fails, you can also try TurboTax. I think they still allow e-filing for 2021 and possibly 2020 depending on when you're trying to file. They'll charge you around $70-100 per return though, which is more expensive than some of the other options mentioned. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure whatever software you use can handle your international situation correctly. Some of the cheaper options don't properly support foreign earned income exclusion or foreign tax credits.

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Marcus Williams

•8M

TurboTax does handle foreign income pretty well in my experience. They have specific sections for foreign earned income exclusion (Form 2555) and foreign tax credits (Form 1116). They'll walk you through determining which is better for your situation. For multiple countries, they can handle that too, though you'll need good records of how much you earned in each place and what taxes you paid to each country. The investment income adds another layer, but their premium version specifically covers investment income scenarios. Just be prepared to pay more for the versions that handle international situations.

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