Haven't filed taxes in 4 years - where do I start & what happens with my refund?

You need to file all your back taxes as soon as possible, but that doesn't mean you have to wait on your 2024 return. Here's what you should do: First, gather all your tax documents for all the years you haven't filed (W-2s, 1099s, etc.). If you can't find them, you can request wage and income transcripts from the IRS for free through their website or by filing Form 4506-T. I'd recommend filing the past years in chronological order, starting with the oldest year first. The good news is if you're due refunds for any of those years, there's a 3-year statute of limitations for claiming them. So for example, you can still get refunds for 2021, 2022, and 2023, but you've likely lost the refund for 2020 if you were due one. As for your 2024 taxes, absolutely file them on time by April 2025. Don't wait and add another year to your backlog. If you're due a refund for 2024, you'll receive it regardless of what you owe for previous years (unless you have other federal debts like student loans).

I was in almost the exact same situation last year - hadn't filed for 3 years and was completely overwhelmed with where to start. I tried using different tax software but kept getting confused with all the questions about previous years' information. I ended up using https://taxr.ai and it was seriously life-changing. You basically upload your tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, whatever you have) and it analyzes everything for you. The system figured out which years I needed to file, organized everything chronologically, and even identified which years I was likely getting refunds for. What really helped was that it explained the whole process of catching up on unfiled returns and walked me through everything step by step instead of me just guessing what to do.

I have to follow up on my skeptical comment about taxr.ai. I ended up trying it after all since I was in a similar situation (hadn't filed for 3 years). I was genuinely surprised by how helpful it was. The document analysis was spot-on and identified that I was actually owed substantial refunds for two of my unfiled years that I would have lost if I waited much longer. The step-by-step guidance made the whole process way less intimidating than I expected. I was able to file all my back taxes in a single weekend instead of the weeks I thought it would take. Just wanted to share since my initial skepticism was completely wrong.

If you're worried about penalties or have questions about your specific situation, you should really talk directly to the IRS. The problem is actually getting through to them! I spent DAYS trying to reach someone at the IRS last year when I had unfiled returns. After wasting hours on hold, I discovered https://claimyr.com which is basically a service that waits on hold with the IRS for you and then calls you when an actual human agent is on the line. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c This saved me so much time and frustration. I was able to talk directly to an IRS agent who explained exactly what my options were for my unfiled returns and helped me set up a payment plan for what I owed. The peace of mind from having official answers directly from the IRS was worth it.

I need to eat my words and apologize for my skepticism about Claimyr. I was dead wrong. After my dismissive comment, my tax situation became urgent when I received a CP504 notice threatening a levy. I tried calling the IRS directly and spent 2.5 hours on hold before getting disconnected. In desperation, I tried the Claimyr service. Within 40 minutes, I got a call back with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent helped me sort out my unfiled returns situation and explained exactly what I needed to do to avoid collections actions. They even discovered that one of the tax years I was worried about actually had a refund coming that I would have lost in a few months. For anyone in a similar situation with unfiled returns, being able to speak directly with the IRS saved me from what could have been a much worse outcome. Sometimes official guidance from the source makes all the difference.

One important thing no one has mentioned yet - you should really look into the IRS Fresh Start program if you end up owing money after filing your back taxes. It's designed specifically for people in your situation who have fallen behind. The program offers several options like extended installment agreements (up to 6 years to pay), penalty relief in some cases, and even potential settlement options through Offer in Compromise if you qualify. The key is being proactive - the IRS is generally much more flexible with people who come forward voluntarily versus those they have to track down.

Whatever you do, don't use those sketchy "tax resolution" companies you see advertising on TV or radio. My brother was in a similar situation (5 years unfiled) and paid one of those companies $3,000 upfront. They literally did NOTHING except file a basic power of attorney form and then kept asking for more money for "additional work." Just file the returns yourself using good tax software or find a reputable local EA (Enrolled Agent) or CPA who specializes in back tax returns. You'll save thousands and actually get your situation resolved.

I was in almost the exact same situation a few years ago - hadn't filed for 3 years and was paralyzed by fear and confusion about where to start. Here's what I learned from going through the process: First, don't wait any longer! File your 2024 return on time in April 2025 - there's no benefit to adding another year to your backlog. You can work on the back years simultaneously. Since you've had taxes withheld from your paychecks, you're likely due refunds for most or all of those years, which means you probably won't face penalties (the IRS only penalizes when you owe). However, you need to file soon because refunds expire after 3 years - you've already lost any 2020 refund permanently. Here's my recommended approach: Start by requesting your wage and income transcripts from the IRS website (they're free) for any years where you don't have your tax documents. Then file the oldest year first and work forward chronologically. The good news is that if you're getting refunds, the IRS will process each year separately, so you don't have to worry about them withholding money from newer years to cover older debts. Each refund will come to you directly. Don't let fear keep you frozen - the reality is almost always better than what you're imagining, especially if you've been having taxes withheld. You've got this!