How to E-File TurboTax returns from 2018 and earlier tax years?

I'm trying to figure out if I can E-File my old tax returns from 2018 and earlier years. I've already completed them all using TurboTax, but when I try to submit them electronically through the software, I keep getting this message saying that E-File season is closed because it ended at the October 15 extension deadline (so for 2018, that would have been October 15, 2019). The weird thing is that when I looked into this on the TurboTax website, they seem to suggest it's still possible to E-File older returns. Their wording makes it sound like I should be able to do this somehow, but I can't figure out the actual process. Has anyone successfully E-Filed past tax years using TurboTax after the original filing seasons were over? Is there some special process or am I just misunderstanding what I read on their site? I'd really prefer to E-File rather than mail paper returns if possible.

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21 comments

Oliver Brown

•8M

TurboTax user here who's dealt with this exact situation! Unfortunately, there's a bit of confusion on this topic. The IRS only allows electronic filing of returns for the current tax year and two years prior. Right now in 2025, you can only E-File 2024, 2023, and 2022 returns electronically. For 2018 and earlier years, you'll need to print and mail those returns regardless of what software you used to prepare them. What you're likely seeing on the TurboTax site is information about filing previous years' returns using their software (which you can do), but not about the actual electronic submission of those returns to the IRS. The October 15 deadline you mentioned is the final day the IRS accepts E-File submissions for the previous tax year after extensions. Once that date passes, the E-File system closes for that particular tax year permanently.

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Oliver Brown

•8M

No, even tax professionals can't E-File returns from years outside the current 3-year window. The limitation is on the IRS side, not the software. The IRS E-File system simply doesn't accept submissions from tax years beyond the current 3-year window (current year plus two prior years). Tax professionals use the same IRS electronic filing system with the same limitations, though they might have different software than TurboTax. The only option for 2019 and earlier returns now is to print and mail them. Just make sure you're using the correct forms for those specific tax years when you print them.

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Clay blendedgen

•8M

After struggling with the exact same problem (trying to file 2018 and 2017 returns), I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which helped me figure out what was happening with my old returns. Their document analysis tool spotted some issues with my previous filings that I hadn't even noticed. The site confirmed what another commenter mentioned - you can't E-File returns older than the current year plus two prior years. But what was helpful was that they showed me how to properly prepare the returns for mailing, flagged inconsistencies between my older and newer returns, and gave me peace of mind that everything was correctly filled out before sending it off to the IRS.

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Clay blendedgen

•8M

The tool mainly reviews your documents and helps identify potential issues or inconsistencies, but doesn't actually do the filing for you. It analyzes all the forms and numbers to spot problems before you mail them to the IRS, which was super helpful for me with my older returns. Their system does have access to historical tax rules and rates going back many years. That's actually how it caught that I had applied a 2019 tax rule to my 2018 return, which would have caused problems. It basically gives you an expert review of your returns before you mail them.

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Ayla Kumar

•8M

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai that someone mentioned above. It was actually really helpful for my 2018 return situation! I uploaded my prepared TurboTax PDF and it found two issues I never would have caught - I had accidentally claimed a tax credit that wasn't available until 2019, and I had some income reporting that didn't match across forms. The interface was straightforward and gave me specific feedback about each form. After fixing those issues and printing the corrected return, I feel much more confident mailing it in. Still wish I could E-File, but at least now I know my paper return is correct and won't trigger unnecessary questions from the IRS.

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Carmella Popescu

•8M

Since you're dealing with filing old returns, I should mention that contacting the IRS directly might be helpful to confirm whether they've received your filings or if you have any outstanding issues. I tried for WEEKS to get through to them about my 2018 return last year. Kept getting busy signals or disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Finally tried Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes. They have a demo video here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c that shows how it works. The agent was able to confirm my filing status and told me exactly what I needed to do with my older returns.

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Carmella Popescu

•8M

It doesn't call for you - it uses some kind of technology that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold, then alerts you when an actual human agent picks up. That way you don't have to sit there listening to hold music for hours. I was skeptical too before I tried it. I had already spent about 8 hours across multiple days trying to reach someone at the IRS without success. The service works by monitoring the call and alerting you when a human answers. I literally got through in minutes after trying on my own for weeks. Not selling anything, just sharing what worked for me with these old return issues.

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Lim Wong

•8M

I need to eat some humble pie here. After my skeptical comment above, I tried Claimyr out of desperation because I needed to ask about my 2018 return that was still showing as "processing" on the IRS website after I mailed it. I'm genuinely shocked it worked. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 22 minutes (on a Monday morning no less). The agent confirmed they had received my 2018 return but it was sitting in a backlog. They moved it to active processing while I was on the call. Still had to mail my return rather than E-File it, but at least now I know it's being handled. Definitely saved me weeks of stress wondering if my return was lost.

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Dananyl Lear

•8M

Just wanted to add some clarity about TurboTax specifically. I work in tax preparation, and TurboTax does allow you to PREPARE returns for previous years, but as others have mentioned, you cannot E-File them if they're outside the 3-year window. One thing to watch out for: make sure you're using the correct version of TurboTax for the specific tax year you're filing. For example, you need TurboTax 2018 to properly prepare a 2018 return. Using a newer version to prepare an old return can cause serious errors.

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Dananyl Lear

•8M

Yes, you can still purchase and download previous years' versions of TurboTax directly from their website. They maintain versions going back several years specifically for people who need to file older returns. Go to the TurboTax site, look for "Previous tax years" or "Prior year products" section (usually at the bottom of the homepage). They typically charge around the same price as current versions. One important note: even though you're paying for the software, you still can't E-File those older returns - you're just paying for the preparation help and the correct forms/calculations for that specific tax year.

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CosmicCrusader

•4M

For anyone still struggling with this, I want to emphasize what others have said about the 3-year E-File window. The IRS is very strict about this - once October 15th passes for any given tax year, that year's E-File system permanently closes. However, there's one important thing to keep in mind: if you're filing these old returns because you owe money, interest and penalties continue to accrue until you file and pay. So even though you have to mail paper returns, don't delay getting them submitted. Also, if you're expecting refunds on these old returns, be aware that you generally only have 3 years from the original due date to claim a refund. For 2018, that deadline was April 15, 2022 (with some COVID extensions), so any 2018 refunds may already be forfeited. You should still file for record-keeping purposes, but don't expect a refund check. Make sure to send your paper returns via certified mail so you have proof the IRS received them!

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Alfredo Lugo

•4M

This is really helpful information, especially about the refund deadlines! I had no idea there was a 3-year limit on claiming refunds. That's a pretty big deal for anyone who might be owed money from those older years. Quick question about the certified mail - do you need to send it to a specific IRS address, or just the regular processing center for your state? I want to make sure my 2019 return gets to the right place when I mail it. Also, for anyone reading this who might be in a similar situation - I learned the hard way that even if you can't E-File, you should still try to get your returns done as soon as possible. The IRS can be pretty understanding about late filing if you're proactive about it, but waiting just makes everything more complicated.

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