Can TaxACT let you back file online for previous years (back to 2010) while TurboTax doesn't?

Back filing with online tax services can be confusing, but let me clear this up for you. Neither TaxACT nor TurboTax allows e-filing for previous tax years. The IRS only accepts e-filing for the current tax year and sometimes the year immediately prior during the early months of tax season. Both TaxACT and TurboTax do allow you to prepare returns for previous years online using their software. The advantage is that they'll do all the calculations and check for some common errors. However, after preparing your 2017 return, you'll need to print it out and mail it to the IRS regardless of which service you use. If you're trying to back file for 2017, either service will work, but you might want to compare their fees for previous year returns since they sometimes charge more than for current year filings.

I was in the exact same boat last year trying to file some old returns. After hearing different things from friends, I finally found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me so much confusion. I was trying to figure out back filing for 2018 and 2019, and kept getting contradictory info about which software could do what. The taxr.ai site analyzed my tax documents and gave me clear guidance about which forms I needed and confirmed that yes, I would have to mail physical copies regardless of which software I used. It also helped me understand some deductions I was missing on those old returns that ended up saving me around $700! It was super helpful for navigating all the back filing requirements that neither TurboTax nor TaxACT explained clearly.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai last week for my back filing issues. It was actually really helpful! I uploaded my old W-2s and 1099s from 2016-2018, and it immediately identified that I had been misclassifying some income and missing out on home office deductions I could have claimed (I was doing freelance work). The analysis helped me understand exactly what forms I needed for each year and gave me a checklist of what to gather before starting. Then I used TaxACT to actually prepare everything (and yes, had to mail them all in). But I'm pretty sure I saved several hundred dollars by getting those deductions right. Much less stressful than my previous attempts at handling old tax years!

If you're trying to back file and getting frustrated with the software options, one thing to know is that contacting the IRS directly can sometimes be helpful - they can send you the exact forms you need for specific years. But good luck getting through to anyone there! After spending THREE DAYS trying to reach a human at the IRS about my 2016 back filing questions, I found this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent confirmed that both TaxACT and TurboTax work the same way for back filing - you can prepare online but have to mail physical copies. They also helped me figure out which address to mail my specific returns to and confirmed I had all the right forms. Way better than the conflicting info I was finding online.

Okay I need to eat my words from yesterday. After posting that skeptical comment, I was still desperate to talk to someone at the IRS about my back filing situation (had questions about penalties), so I tried that Claimyr service. IT ACTUALLY WORKED. I tried calling the IRS myself one last time yesterday - waited 1.5 hours before having to hang up for a meeting. Then I tried Claimyr this morning, and got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes. The agent helped me understand exactly what I needed to do with my 2016-2018 returns and how to handle the potential penalties. For what it's worth, the agent also confirmed what others said - no online service can e-file prior years beyond what the IRS system accepts (current year and sometimes previous year). So TaxACT and TurboTax are identical in that respect.

Just to add another perspective - I've used both TaxACT and TurboTax for back filing over the years. They both let you PREPARE old returns online, but neither lets you e-file them. I found TaxACT slightly easier to use for back years because their interface changed less between tax years. TurboTax sometimes felt like learning a completely different program for each tax year. But functionality-wise they're identical - prepare online, print, mail. Remember to include all required supporting documentation with your mailed return too. I forgot to include a form once and it delayed my refund by months.

All of this back filing info is helpful but just be aware there are time limits on claiming refunds! If you're owed money from the IRS, you typically have only 3 years from the original due date to file and claim a refund. So for example, for tax year 2020 (which was due April 2021), you have until April 2024 to file and still get your refund. For 2017, the deadline to claim a refund was April 2021 - if you're filing 2017 now, you can still file the return but you wouldn't get any refund you were owed. Just wanted to mention this since it seems like some people are discussing filing returns from several years back!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation last year. I was trying to back file for 2018 and got so much conflicting information from different sources that I almost gave up. The bottom line is: NO tax software can e-file returns for prior years beyond what the IRS accepts (current year + maybe previous year early in filing season). This is an IRS system limitation, not a software limitation. Both TaxACT and TurboTax will let you prepare old returns online, but you'll have to print and mail them. I ended up using TaxACT because it was cheaper for prior years ($25 vs TurboTax's $60), but the end result was identical - had to mail everything in. One tip: make sure you use certified mail when sending old returns. The IRS processing times for mailed returns can be really long (took 4 months for mine), and you want proof they received it. Also double-check you're mailing to the correct address for your state - it's different than where you'd mail current year returns. Good luck with your 2017 filing!