Is it too late to file 2023 taxes in December after missing the extension deadline?

You're definitely not beyond help! The good news is that you can still file your 2023 tax return even in December 2024. The IRS accepts late tax returns at any time, so there's no point where it becomes "too late" to file. However, you are right about penalties. There are two main penalties for filing late: a failure-to-file penalty (usually 5% of unpaid taxes for each month your return is late, up to 25%) and a failure-to-pay penalty (typically 0.5% of unpaid taxes each month, up to 25%). Interest also accrues on unpaid taxes. The most important thing is to file as soon as possible to stop the failure-to-file penalty from growing. If you're actually due a refund, there's usually no penalty for filing late (but you only have 3 years to claim your refund). H&R Block is definitely an option and they won't judge you - they see late filers all the time! You could also still use TurboTax or another tax software if you feel comfortable with that. Don't beat yourself up too much. Just get those taxes filed ASAP and you'll feel so much better!

I was in almost the exact same situation last year and found this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me figure out my late filing situation. I was completely overwhelmed by all the penalty calculations and wasn't sure what forms I needed since I was so late. What the tool did was analyze my situation and give me a clear breakdown of what penalties I was facing and what steps I needed to take. It saved me from having a complete meltdown! The best part was that it helped me understand what documentation I needed to gather before talking to a tax professional, which made the whole process go way smoother. You should definitely check it out before going to H&R Block - it might help you feel more prepared and less anxious about the whole situation.

Just wanted to follow up! I tried taxr.ai after seeing this recommendation and it was surprisingly helpful. I was super stressed about my late filing with all my 1099 income, but the tool helped me organize everything and gave me a clear estimate of what penalties I was facing. It actually found some deductions I would have missed and explained exactly which forms I needed for my situation. I ended up using TurboTax afterward and felt WAY more confident going through the process. My situation wasn't as dire as I thought, and I'm so relieved to have finally filed!

If you're worried about penalties and need to actually talk to someone at the IRS about your situation, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last year and spent DAYS trying to get through to the IRS on my own with no luck. Claimyr basically holds your place in the IRS phone queue and calls you when an actual human agent is on the line. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c When I finally got through to an IRS agent, they helped me understand my options for the late filing penalties and even guided me through the First Time Penalty Abatement request since it was my first time missing deadlines. Made a huge difference in my final tax bill!

I have to eat my words about Claimyr! After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it out of desperation because I needed to talk to the IRS about my own late filing situation. I was 100% sure it would be a waste of time. Well, I was completely wrong. I got connected to an actual IRS agent in about an hour. The agent was super helpful and walked me through exactly what I needed to do with my late return. They even helped me understand if I qualified for penalty relief. Honestly, I'm still shocked it worked so well. If you're in the same boat as OP and need to talk to someone at the IRS about your late filing, this service is actually worth it. Saved me a ton of stress.

Just fyi - if you're actually OWED a refund, there's no penalty for filing late! You just lose the refund if you don't file within 3 years of the due date. The penalties are only if you OWE money. I filed my 2022 taxes in January 2024 (super late) but I was owed a refund so there were zero penalties. Something to keep in mind!

Don't feel ashamed. I just filed my 2022 taxes last month lol. The tax prep person at Jackson Hewitt didn't even bat an eye when I told them. Just bring all your documents and they'll sort it out!

Hey, I totally get the anxiety you're feeling - I was in almost the exact same situation a couple years ago and thought my world was ending! The good news is you're absolutely NOT beyond help. You can file your 2023 taxes anytime, even now in December. Yes, you'll face penalties for filing late, but the key thing is to stop the bleeding by filing ASAP. The failure-to-file penalty stops accruing once you actually file your return. If you end up owing money, you can always set up a payment plan with the IRS. H&R Block won't judge you at all - they deal with late filers constantly, especially around this time of year when people are trying to clean up their tax situations before the new year. They've literally seen it all. One thing that might help ease your mind: if it turns out you're actually owed a refund, there are no penalties for filing late! You'd just be leaving money on the table if you don't file within 3 years of the due date. Take a deep breath and just get it done. You'll feel SO much better once those taxes are filed. The anticipation and anxiety are honestly worse than dealing with the actual situation. You've got this! 💪