Is it too late to file my taxes for this year? Need advice on missed deadline

Thanks for the info! Do you know if there's a cutoff date where you HAVE to file from this past year before the next tax season starts? Like, can we file 2024 and 2025 taxes at the same time next April?

You don't have to file before next tax season begins. You can absolutely file multiple years' tax returns at the same time. The IRS processes each tax year separately, so you could file both 2024 and 2025 returns during the 2025 filing season if you wanted. Remember though, if she's owed a refund, that's money sitting with the government instead of in her pocket. Also, if she ends up owing (which happens more often than people expect), the penalties and interest continue to grow the longer she waits.

Does it work for multiple years if I'm behind on filing for like...3 years? I'm asking for a friend obviously lol.

I've seen a lot of these tax help services online but I'm always suspicious. How do you know they're giving you accurate information? Did you double-check their advice with anyone?

Yes, it absolutely works for multiple years! You just upload your documents from each year and it processes them separately. You can get everything sorted at once instead of doing it year by year. I totally get being suspicious of online tax services. I actually had my uncle (who's been doing taxes professionally for years) look over the recommendations it gave me. He was impressed by how accurate everything was and said it caught some deductions he might have missed. The analysis breaks down exactly which IRS rules apply to your situation so you can even look things up yourself if you want to verify.

Wait, how does this actually work? The IRS phone lines are always busy whenever I call. How can this service magically get you through?

Sounds like a scam. No way some random service can get you through to the IRS faster than calling yourself. They probably just take your money and give you the same recorded messages you'd get anyway.

It uses an automated system that calls the IRS repeatedly for you and navigates through all the prompts until it gets a human on the line. Then it calls you and connects you directly to that agent. It's basically doing all the hold time and frustration for you. They don't just give you recorded messages - you're literally connected to the same IRS agents you'd eventually reach if you stayed on hold for hours yourself. The difference is you don't waste your whole day listening to that awful hold music. I was skeptical too until my call was connected to an actual IRS employee who answered all my specific questions.

Oh crap, I had no idea there was a 3-year deadline on refunds! That's really good to know. Do you think we should use a tax service like Jackson Hewitt at this point or just try to do it ourselves with tax software?

For a simple tax situation, tax software should work fine and save you money compared to Jackson Hewitt. Something like TurboTax or FreeTaxUSA can handle late filings easily. If her taxes are more complicated (self-employment, multiple income sources, investments, etc.), then a professional service might be worth the cost. They sometimes catch deductions or credits you might miss on your own. But for basic W-2 income, the software should be more than adequate and much cheaper.

Exactly! IRS is the worst bank ever... they take your money all year and don't even pay interest when they owe you a refund, but they sure charge interest when you owe them 😑