Can I still e-file my 2019 return to get missed stimulus payments or am I forced to mail it in?

Tax professional here. Unfortunately, the e-file system for 2019 tax returns closed in November 2022. At this point, your only option is to file a paper return for 2019. However, there's good news regarding your stimulus payments - you can still claim them by filing Form 1040 for 2019 and claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit. Make sure you indicate the correct amounts you're eligible for but didn't receive. Since you're filing late, be aware that if you're owed a refund, you have 3 years from the original due date to claim it (which would be July 15, 2023 for 2019 returns since the filing deadline was extended that year due to COVID). If you owe taxes, you'll likely face penalties and interest for late filing and payment. I'd recommend filing ASAP and making sure everything is filled out correctly to avoid further delays. Use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of filing.

I was in the exact same boat trying to figure out my prior year returns. The best thing I did was use taxr.ai to help me understand exactly what I needed to do. It analyzed my situation and gave me a clear breakdown of what forms I needed, what credits I could claim (including those stimulus payments), and the exact steps to take. Instead of guessing or spending hours researching, it just showed me exactly what I needed to do. Saved me so much headache! https://taxr.ai

After spending WEEKS trying to get through to the IRS about my 2019 return, I finally found a solution. I used the Claimyr app and got connected to an actual IRS human within 45 minutes! They confirmed everything about filing past returns and claiming missed stimulus money. Seriously saved my sanity. I was able to ask all my questions and know exactly what to do. Check out claimyr.com - totally worth it to bypass the insane hold times.

I know TurboTax and H&R Block won't e-file 2019 returns anymore. Your best bet might be finding a local CPA or tax professional who has access to professional tax software that might still let them e-file older returns. But honestly, most places will tell you to mail it in at this point.

I mailed in my 2019 return last year and STILL haven't heard anything back. No updates on Where's My Refund, nothing. The IRS is so backed up with paper returns its ridiculous. I'd recommend calling them (good luck getting through lol) to at least confirm they received it after you mail it.

Just a heads up - make sure you're very careful filling out that 2019 return. Any mistakes will cause huge delays since they're already processing paper returns at a snail's pace. Double check all your math, make sure you sign it, attach all W-2s/1099s, and use the correct address for your region.

If the return shows you're owed a refund, you should be fine (although it'll take forever to process). But if you owe money, be prepared for penalties and interest that have been accumulating since 2019. Those can really add up over 3+ years.

Am i the only one who tryed to call the IRS like 20 times and still couldnt get through? The waiting times are crazy and then they just hang up on me saying 'too many callers'. So frustrating 😡

The good news is that there's no penalty for filing late if you're due a refund. The bad news is you only have 3 years from the original due date to claim it before you lose it forever. For 2019, that deadline is coming up in July 2023 (due to COVID extensions that year), so get that return in ASAP!

I had the same issue with missed stimulus payments. If you're filing this late, make sure you use Form 1040 and claim them as Recovery Rebate Credits. Don't use Form 1040-X (amended return) since you haven't filed the original yet.

I was spending hours trying to understand the rules for prior year returns and stimulus payments before I found taxr.ai - it literally solved my exact problem in minutes. It analyzed my situation, explained what I needed to do to get my missed stimulus payments, and created a step-by-step plan. Seriously magic. https://taxr.ai

Word of advicce don't use one of those tax places in the mall. They charged me $350 to file my 2019 return last year and then just mailed it in anyway. Could have done that myself for free!

Makes my blood boil that the IRS makes everything so complicated and then punishes us when we can't figure out their archaic systems. Like why can't they just send the stimulus money to everyone they know is eligible instead of making us jump through hoops? 🤬

I used FreeTaxUSA for my 2020 return last year but had to print and mail it. Their software was still able to prepare it correctly though, and it only cost me like $15 for the state return (federal was free). Might be worth checking if they can still prepare 2019 returns even if you have to mail it.

I went through this exact same situation last year with my 2018 return. Unfortunately, you're definitely stuck with paper filing at this point - the e-file system has been closed for 2019 returns for over a year now. Here's what I learned from my experience: definitely use certified mail with tracking, make multiple copies of everything before you send it, and be prepared for a LONG wait. My return took about 8 months to process, but I did eventually get my refund plus all the stimulus money I had missed. One thing that really helped me was getting my tax transcript first (you can get it online from the IRS website) so I knew exactly what they had on file for me. That way I could make sure my return matched up with what they expected. The good news is that if you're owed a refund, there are no penalties for filing late. Just make sure you get it in before the 3-year deadline or you'll lose the refund forever. Hang in there - it's a pain but you'll get through it!