Completely forgot to file my state taxes last year, what should I do now?

Don't panic! This happens more often than you'd think. The good news is that you can still file your state taxes even though they're late, and the process is fairly straightforward. First, you'll need to download the appropriate state tax forms for the tax year you missed. Most state tax department websites have previous years' forms available. Complete these forms just as you would have done if filing on time. When you file late, you'll likely face two types of penalties: a late filing penalty (usually a percentage of taxes owed) and interest on any unpaid tax. If you're due a refund, you might not face penalties, but you'll still want to file to get your money back. Most states allow you to claim refunds for up to 3-4 years. If you owe a significant amount and can't pay it all at once, most states offer payment plans. You can contact your state tax department directly to discuss your options.

I was in your exact situation last year! I completely forgot to file my state taxes and was freaking out about penalties. I tried figuring it out myself but kept getting confused about which forms I needed and how to calculate the penalties. I ended up using https://taxr.ai and it saved me so much stress. They have this feature where you upload your documents and it tells you exactly what forms you need for your situation. It even helped me figure out whether I qualified for any penalty abatement. The whole process was way smoother than I expected for filing late state taxes.

Update on my situation - I wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai since I was skeptical at first. I decided to give it a try for my late state taxes from last year, and I'm actually really impressed! The system immediately identified that I had a home office deduction I could take on my state return that I completely missed. The penalty calculator was super helpful too - it showed me exactly what I would owe and even helped me request a first-time penalty abatement that I had no idea I was eligible for. The whole process took about 30 minutes, and I just submitted everything yesterday. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the state. Definitely less painful than I expected!

If you're still waiting to hear back from your state after filing late taxes, you're probably in for a LONG wait. I spent MONTHS trying to get through to my state tax department after filing late last year. Constant busy signals, disconnections, and being on hold for literally hours. I finally used https://claimyr.com and it was a game-changer. They actually got me through to a real person at the state tax department in under 30 mins. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically they navigate the phone system for you and call you when they get a real person. I was able to confirm my late filing was received and get the exact amount I needed to pay including penalties. Saved me weeks of stress!

Ok I need to eat my words about Claimyr being a scam. After trying for TWO WEEKS to get through to my state tax department about my late filing penalties, I was desperate enough to try it. I honestly expected nothing to happen, but about 45 minutes after signing up, I got a call connecting me to an actual human at the tax department! The woman I spoke with was able to look up my account, confirm they received my late filing, and even set up a payment plan for the penalties and interest. She also gave me her direct extension for follow-up questions. All of this would have taken me probably another month of calling on my own based on my previous experience. I'm still shocked it actually worked.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - depending on your state, you might actually be eligible for a "first-time penalty abatement" if you've had a good filing history before this. I forgot to file my state taxes two years ago, and when I called the state tax office, they waived most of the penalties because I had a clean record for the previous 3 years. Not all states offer this, but many do - worth asking about when you file! Just be super polite when you call and explain that this was a genuine oversight.

Has anyone had experience with filing multiple years of unfiled state taxes? I just realized I forgot to file state taxes for the last TWO years 😬 Will the penalties be compounded or calculated separately for each year?

Don't beat yourself up about this - it's way more common than you think! I work as a tax preparer and see this situation frequently. Here's what you need to do: 1. **File ASAP** - The penalties and interest keep accumulating, so don't delay any further 2. **Gather your documents** - W-2s, 1099s, receipts for deductions, etc. from that tax year 3. **Download the correct forms** - Go to your state's tax department website and get the forms for the specific tax year you missed 4. **Calculate what you owe** - Most state websites have penalty calculators to help estimate your total liability The good news is that if you're getting a refund, there's typically no penalty for filing late (though you won't earn interest on that refund). If you owe money, expect a failure-to-file penalty (usually 5% per month up to 25% max) plus interest. Many states also offer "reasonable cause" exceptions if you have a valid reason for the delay. Even if not, first-time penalty abatement is often available for taxpayers with good compliance history. Don't panic - just take action now. The state wants their money (or to give you your refund), so they'll work with you to resolve this.