I accidentally filed my 2022 and 2023 taxes together using TurboTax - what happens now?

So I completely messed up and didn't realize until after I hit submit. I was using TurboTax to catch up on my taxes and somehow ended up filing my 2022 returns at the same time as my 2023 returns. I know this isn't how you're supposed to do it, but it's already done now. I'm freaking out a bit and wondering what's going to happen. Will they just separate them out automatically? Will both years get rejected? Will I get in trouble with the IRS? I'm hoping they'll just correct it rather than throwing everything out, but I have no idea how this works. Has anyone done something similar before? I'd rather know the worst case scenario now so I can prepare myself. Just need some honest answers about what I'm likely facing here.

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18 comments

KhalilStar

•8M

This isn't as bad as you might think! When you file tax returns for multiple years through TurboTax, the system actually submits them as separate returns to the IRS. Each tax year is processed independently, even if you completed them during the same session. The IRS's computer systems are designed to handle returns for different years separately. Your 2022 return will go into their 2022 processing queue, and your 2023 return will go into their 2023 queue. You should receive separate confirmation numbers for each return if both were successfully transmitted. The only potential issue might be if you entered information for one year that should have been on the other, or if filing the 2022 return late triggers any penalties or interest for that tax year. But the actual act of filing them together isn't itself a problem.

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KhalilStar

•8M

You can file prior year returns through tax software like TurboTax, though you might need to use the specific version for that tax year. You don't need to file an amended return unless you're correcting a previously filed return. Regarding penalties, if the 2022 return was due April 18, 2023, and is just being filed now, there could be late filing penalties and interest if taxes were owed. The penalty is typically 5% of unpaid taxes for each month the return is late (capped at 25%). If OP was due a refund for 2022, there's generally no penalty for filing late, but they have only three years from the original due date to claim that refund.

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Kaiya Rivera

•8M

I went through something similar last year and found this amazing tool that saved me so much stress - https://taxr.ai really helped me understand the implications of my late filings. I was freaking out about filing 2021 and 2022 together, but their system analyzed my situation and explained exactly what would happen with each return. The tool breaks down how the IRS processes multiple year submissions and estimates any potential penalties. You upload your return confirmations, and it shows you the expected processing timeline for each year and flags any potential issues. It was such a relief to have clarity instead of just waiting anxiously for the IRS to respond.

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Kaiya Rivera

•8M

You only need to share the confirmation details from TurboTax - not your full returns with all the sensitive financial information. The system uses the submission data to analyze your filing status and potential processing timeline. It can't predict with 100% certainty if you'll be audited, but it does highlight risk factors in your filing pattern that might increase audit likelihood. The system analyzes patterns like multiple year submissions and helps you understand if your situation falls within normal parameters or might trigger additional scrutiny. Many users find this reduces their anxiety since they know what to expect.

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Noah Irving

•8M

I just wanted to update everyone - I was really skeptical but tried https://taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. It actually gave me a full breakdown of what happens when you file multiple years together! Turns out my three-year filing wasn't as unusual as I thought. The tool showed me the separate processing tracks for each tax year and calculated my actual late filing penalties (which were way less than I had been stressing about). The peace of mind was totally worth it - got confirmation that my refunds for the older years were still coming, just on a different timeline than my current year. Wish I'd known about this sooner!

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Vanessa Chang

•8M

If you're having trouble getting answers from the IRS about your multi-year filing, try https://claimyr.com - seriously changed my life when I was in a similar situation. I had filed 2021 and 2022 taxes together in early 2023 and couldn't get any info on what was happening with my returns for months. I spent WEEKS trying to call the IRS directly with no luck - constant busy signals or disconnections after hours on hold. Then I tried Claimyr and had an actual IRS agent on the phone in under 45 minutes! They were able to check both tax years separately and confirm they were being processed correctly. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It's amazing how much stress melts away when you actually get to speak to someone who can see what's happening with your returns.

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Vanessa Chang

•8M

It uses a system that monitors the IRS phone lines and connects you when there's an opening. It essentially does the waiting and redial process for you, then calls you when it gets through to an agent. I was skeptical too until I tried it. The reason everyone doesn't use it is simply that most people don't know about it yet. It's a newer service that's been growing by word of mouth from people who've had success with it. I can only speak to my experience, but I went from weeks of frustration to talking with an actual helpful IRS agent who could see both my tax years in the system.

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Julian Paolo

•8M

I'm eating my words right now. After posting that skeptical comment, I decided to try Claimyr since I've been trying to get info about my own multi-year filing situation for months. I honestly didn't expect anything to happen. Well, I got a call back in about 35 minutes and spent 20 minutes talking to an actual IRS agent who pulled up both my 2022 and 2023 returns! They confirmed they were processing separately and even gave me the expected deposit dates for both refunds. The agent also confirmed there wouldn't be any issues with the fact that I filed them on the same day. I've never been happier to be wrong about something!

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Ella Knight

•8M

Just for future reference, if you need to file for previous years, TurboTax keeps prior year versions available. You need to use the correct year's software for each tax year - can't use 2023 TurboTax to properly prepare 2022 returns. You might have already done this correctly, but wanted to mention it for anyone else in a similar situation. Also, if you owed money for 2022, you're going to have late payment penalties and interest. If you were due a refund, you're fine - the IRS doesn't penalize you for filing late when they owe YOU money.

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Ella Knight

•8M

TurboTax typically keeps the last 7 years of tax software available, so you should be able to file returns back to 2019 without issues. You'll need to download the specific software version for each tax year you need to file. Start with your oldest return (2019) and work forward chronologically. Each year's return may affect the next, especially if you're carrying forward losses or credits. Just be prepared for potential late filing penalties if you owed taxes for those years. The IRS generally has a 10-year collection period for unpaid taxes, so it's definitely good you're getting caught up now.

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