How many years back can IRS go after you for unfiled tax returns?

The IRS generally has a 10-year statute of limitations for collecting taxes, but that clock doesn't start ticking until a return is actually filed or the IRS creates a substitute return on your behalf. For unfiled returns, there technically isn't a statute of limitations - they can theoretically go after unfiled returns forever. That said, in practice, the IRS typically focuses on the last 6 years for unfiled returns. Your cousin should definitely file that 2019 return as soon as possible, even if she can't pay what she owes right away. The failure-to-file penalty is much higher than the failure-to-pay penalty, so filing stops the bigger penalty from growing. For professional help, she could start with a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or an Enrolled Agent who specializes in tax resolution. Either can help prepare the missing return and work out a payment plan if needed. A tax attorney would be more appropriate if she's already under criminal investigation or if there are complicated legal issues involved, but that doesn't sound like the case here.

I went through something similar with missing tax returns for 2017 and 2018 - it was so stressful! I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me figure out my situation. They have this cool tool that analyzes your tax documents and even identifies deductions you might miss on your own. Super helpful when you're trying to file past returns. The thing I liked most was how they explained everything in plain English instead of tax jargon. They helped me understand exactly what penalties I might face and how to minimize them. Definitely worth checking out!

Just wanted to update - I actually tried taxr.ai after posting my skeptical question. I'm honestly shocked at how helpful it was! They helped me recover documents from 2018 that I thought were long gone. Their document analyzer spotted a few deductions I would have completely missed, which reduced what I owed by almost $1,400. The best part was they didn't just give me the numbers - they walked me through exactly what I needed to do to file the late returns properly. Ended up being way less expensive and stressful than I expected. Wish I'd known about them sooner!

If your cousin needs to actually talk to someone at the IRS (which she likely will), good luck with that! After trying for WEEKS to get someone on the phone about my unfiled 2020 return, I used a service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual human at the IRS in under 20 minutes. They have a demo video here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It was a lifesaver because the IRS had already started collections on my account, and I needed to explain my situation immediately. The IRS agent I spoke with helped me set up a payment plan and explained exactly what paperwork I needed to submit.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it because I was desperate to talk to someone about penalties on my unfiled 2017 return. I was absolutely shocked when I got connected to an IRS agent in about 15 minutes after trying unsuccessfully on my own for DAYS. Not only did I get through, but the agent was able to look up my situation and tell me exactly what I needed to do. They even helped me set up a reasonable payment plan right there on the phone. Saved me from what would have been thousands in additional penalties if I'd kept procrastinating. Definitely worth it if you need to actually speak with someone at the IRS.

Your cousin might qualify for "First Time Penalty Abatement" if she has a clean compliance history before 2019. This could waive failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties for that first missed year. She should definitely ask whoever helps her about this option! Also, if her situation was truly dire (like physical abuse, serious health issues, etc.), she might qualify for reasonable cause relief from penalties. The IRS sometimes shows leniency when there are genuine hardships involved.

Has anyone used TurboTax or H&R Block for filing old returns? Or do you have to go with a professional for something from 2019?

I really feel for your cousin - dealing with unfiled returns while recovering from a toxic relationship is incredibly stressful. The good news is that 2019 isn't that far back in IRS terms, and she's been compliant since then, which works in her favor. A few practical points to add to what others have said: If she had taxes withheld from her paychecks in 2019, she might actually be owed a refund rather than owing money. The IRS only has 3 years to issue refunds though, so she'd need to file by April 15, 2023 to claim any 2019 refund (which has already passed, unfortunately). But if she does owe, filing voluntarily before the IRS comes after her shows good faith and gives her more options. For getting help, an Enrolled Agent (EA) might be a good middle ground between a regular accountant and a tax attorney. EAs specialize specifically in tax issues and can represent clients before the IRS, but they're typically less expensive than attorneys. The IRS has a directory of EAs on their website. Tell her to breathe - this is fixable, and she's taking the right steps by addressing it now rather than continuing to ignore it.

Your cousin's situation is more common than you might think, especially given what she's been through. The trauma from toxic relationships can absolutely disrupt normal life functions like tax filing, and the IRS does recognize this in certain circumstances. A few things that might help ease her anxiety: 1. Since she's been filing consistently since 2019, that demonstrates good faith compliance moving forward. The IRS looks favorably on taxpayers who self-correct and maintain compliance. 2. If she was employed in 2019 and had taxes withheld, there's a decent chance she might not owe anything at all - she could even be due a refund (though as others mentioned, that window has closed). 3. The IRS has been incredibly backlogged, so many unfiled returns from that period haven't been pursued yet. Filing voluntarily before they initiate contact gives her much more control over the situation. For immediate peace of mind, she could start by gathering her 2019 tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) and getting a rough estimate of what she might owe using free tax software. This will help her understand the scope of the issue before meeting with a professional. The fact that she's rebuilding her life and taking responsibility for this now shows real strength. This is definitely solvable, and addressing it proactively is the smartest approach.

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and advice here - this thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding the options available. One thing I wanted to add is that your cousin shouldn't let the fear of penalties paralyze her from taking action. The IRS actually has various penalty relief programs beyond just the First Time Penalty Abatement that was mentioned earlier. Given her circumstances with the toxic relationship, she may have several options for penalty relief if any penalties do apply. Also, while waiting to get professional help, she could request her tax transcripts from the IRS online (if she can verify her identity) or by calling them. This would show if the IRS has any record of income reported for 2019 (from W-2s, 1099s, etc.) and whether they've taken any action on the missing return yet. It's free and can give her a better picture of where things stand. The most important thing is that she's addressing this now rather than continuing to avoid it. From everything shared here, it sounds like she has good options for resolving this situation, especially with professional guidance. Tell her she's got this - taking action is always better than living with the anxiety of not knowing.

I wanted to share some additional perspective on this situation. Your cousin should know that the IRS actually has something called the "Voluntary Disclosure Practice" which can provide some protection when taxpayers come forward proactively about unfiled returns, especially when there are legitimate reasons for the non-compliance. Given that she was in an abusive relationship in 2019, this could potentially qualify as "reasonable cause" for penalty relief. The IRS Publication 1 specifically mentions that "circumstances beyond the taxpayer's control" can include situations involving abuse. She should definitely document the timeline of her situation as thoroughly as possible. One practical step she can take right now is to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a "wage and income transcript" for 2019. This will show her exactly what income documents the IRS has on file (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) so she knows what she's working with before filing. It's completely free and doesn't trigger any collections activity. Also, if she's worried about affording professional help, many communities have Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs that provide free tax preparation for people who qualify. While they typically focus on current-year returns, some sites can help with prior years too. The key thing is that she's taking action now - that alone puts her in a much better position than if the IRS had to come looking for her first.

I just wanted to say how heartwarming it is to see this community rally around someone in need with such detailed, compassionate advice. Your cousin is fortunate to have you looking out for her during this challenging time. One additional resource that might be helpful is the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) - it's an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers who are experiencing economic difficulty, hardship, or who haven't been able to resolve their tax issues through normal IRS channels. Given your cousin's circumstances with the abusive relationship, she might qualify for their assistance. They can often help navigate complex situations and work directly with the IRS on the taxpayer's behalf at no cost. The TAS has local offices in every state, and they're specifically designed to help people who are facing significant hardship. You can find more information on their website or by calling 1-877-777-4778. What strikes me most about this thread is how many people have shared their own experiences with similar tax issues - it really shows your cousin that she's not alone in this situation. The combination of filing voluntarily, potentially qualifying for penalty relief due to her circumstances, and having multiple professional resources available gives her a strong foundation for resolving this successfully. She's already taken the hardest step by recognizing the issue and seeking help. Everything else is just logistics that can be worked through with the right support.