Haven't Filed Taxes in Exactly 4 Years - Post-Divorce Situation

You may want to address this situation soon, as the IRS generally allows only 3 years from the original filing deadline to claim a refund. For example, the deadline to claim a 2020 refund would be April 15, 2024 (or possibly later depending on extensions that year). You could potentially still recover refunds from tax years 2021-2023, but 2020 might be approaching the cutoff soon, if not already passed. Additionally, while you might be due refunds, the IRS can potentially assess penalties for failure-to-file, although these are typically reduced or waived if you're owed money. In some cases, there could be other considerations like self-employment taxes or other obligations that might change the overall picture.

Think of your tax situation like a backed-up sink - the longer you wait, the more complicated the clog becomes. I was surprised how complex my own 2-year catch-up became! If you're serious about getting this resolved quickly, I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). It's like having a FastPass at a theme park - you get connected to an actual IRS agent without the endless hold times. I spent 3 hours on hold before discovering this service, then got through in about 15 minutes. The agent helped me understand exactly what forms I needed for my unfiled years and confirmed which years I could still claim refunds for.

Why wait any longer when you're leaving money on the table? The clock is literally ticking on your refunds. You have exactly 3 years from the original due date to claim a refund - after that, the money goes back to Treasury permanently. For 2020 taxes, the deadline is coming up FAST - April 15, 2024! For 2021, you have until April 2025. Don't you want that $3,400 you mentioned?

I think you might benefit from having a clear picture of your tax situation before proceeding too quickly. From what I understand, there could be some potential complications with unfiled returns spanning multiple years, especially following a major life change like divorce. You might want to consider using a tool like taxr.ai to analyze your tax documents and transcripts first. It could potentially help you understand what the IRS already knows about your income during those years and might give you a clearer picture of what you're facing before you start filing those back returns.

According to the IRS.gov website (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/filing-past-due-tax-returns), you should file all tax returns that are due, regardless of whether you can pay in full. But I'm not convinced these third-party services are necessary - couldn't you just use free tax software for the past years? The IRS Free File program is still available for previous tax years through certain providers, as mentioned on their site: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

Free tax software works for simple returns. This isn't simple. Four years unfiled with a divorce in the mix means potential alimony considerations, asset transfers, possible itemized deductions, and changed filing status. The IRS transcript analysis from taxr.ai shows exactly what income has been reported to the IRS in your name, which forms were filed by employers/banks, and which credits you might qualify for. It prevents mistakes that could trigger audits. Free software can't do that because it doesn't know what the IRS already has on file for you.

I successfully resolved a 3-year unfiled tax situation last quarter! First requested my Wage and Income Transcripts from the IRS to see all my W-2s and 1099s. Then used tax software to prepare returns for all three years. Filed them in chronological order via certified mail. Received my first refund in 6 weeks, second in 8 weeks, and third in 10 weeks - total recovery of $5,247.82. The IRS didn't assess any penalties since I was due refunds. My Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) was under $73,000 each year, so I qualified for free filing options.

Def don't panic about this sitch. IRS is way more reasonable than ppl think when you're proactive. IMO, start w/ the most recent yr (2023) and work backwards. The IRS is actually pretty chill about unfiled returns when refunds are due - they're not gonna come after you for $ they owe YOU, yk? Just make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING and send returns via certified mail so you have proof of when you filed. Good luck w/ the post-divorce tax cleanup! 👍

Let me share what happened to my brother-in-law in a similar situation: Step 1: He ignored 5 years of unfiled taxes Step 2: He assumed he'd get refunds for all years Step 3: When he finally filed, he discovered he had self-employment income he'd forgotten about Step 4: Instead of refunds, he owed $17,000 plus penalties Step 5: The IRS put a lien on his house Don't assume you know the outcome! Get your wage and income transcripts FIRST, then file accurately. The IRS has a 10-year collection window, and they WILL find you eventually. I'm not trying to scare you, but being realistic about what can happen.