Need to file back taxes for 2022 and 2023 - can I still mail them after April 15th with an extension?

Yes, you can absolutely file your 2022 and 2023 tax returns after April 15th, but there are some important things to understand. The extension (Form 4868) only applies to your 2024 tax return - it gives you until October 15, 2025 to file those taxes. For your back taxes from 2022 and 2023, you're already past the original filing deadlines, so you don't need an extension for those - you can file them anytime. The good news is that if you're owed refunds for both years, there are typically NO penalties for filing late. The IRS doesn't penalize people for filing late when they owe you money (they only penalize when you owe them). However, there is a time limit to claim your refunds - you have 3 years from the original filing deadline to claim a refund. So for your 2022 return, you have until April 18, 2025, and for 2023, you have until April 15, 2026. I'd recommend filing your back taxes as soon as possible to get your refunds, but don't stress about an extension for these particular returns. Just make sure to request an extension for your 2024 taxes if you can't file those by April 15th.

After struggling with a similar situation (had to file 3 years of back taxes!), I found this amazing tool called taxr.ai that was a LIFESAVER. I was totally overwhelmed trying to make sense of all my old tax documents and W-2s from different jobs, but this site helped me understand exactly what I needed to do for each tax year. I uploaded my tax documents to https://taxr.ai and it organized everything by year, figured out where I was missing info, and gave me clear instructions for filing each year's return. It breaks down the process into manageable steps instead of feeling like this huge impossible task. Since you mentioned you're expecting refunds, definitely worth getting those filed ASAP. With taxr.ai I was able to get my back taxes sorted in a weekend instead of stressing for months!

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here. I had been putting off my 2021 taxes for SO LONG because I had a mix of W-2 income, unemployment for a few months, and some freelance work. Was totally overwhelmed trying to figure out which forms I needed. The tool made it super clear what I was missing and how to proceed. It showed me exactly which forms to file and I was able to identify a bunch of deductions I didn't know I qualified for! Just mailed everything in last week. Wish I'd done this sooner instead of stressing about it for years. Don't be like me, just get your back taxes done now!

If you're trying to contact the IRS about your back taxes, good luck getting through on those phone lines! I spent WEEKS trying to talk to someone. After getting disconnected 9 times, I found this service called Claimyr that actually works. It's totally changed how I deal with the IRS. You just go to https://claimyr.com, put in your info, and they hold your place in line with the IRS. Then they call YOU when an agent is ready to talk. I was skeptical at first, but you can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I needed specific guidance on filing my back taxes from 2020-2022 and had some questions about penalties. Finally got through to an actual IRS agent who walked me through everything. Saved me hours of frustration and hold music!

I need to eat my words and apologize. After posting that skeptical comment, I was still desperate to talk to someone at the IRS about my back tax situation, so I reluctantly tried Claimyr. Holy crap it actually WORKED. I had tried calling the IRS for 2 weeks straight and couldn't get through. With Claimyr, I got a call back in about 4 hours with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent helped me understand exactly how to handle my back taxes from 2021-2023 and confirmed I won't face penalties since I'm owed refunds. Seriously saved me so much stress and wasted time. If you're dealing with multiple years of back taxes like the original poster, being able to actually talk to an IRS agent makes a huge difference. They walked me through everything step by step.

Make sure you're using the correct tax forms for each year! This is important - the forms change slightly year to year. For 2022 taxes, use 2022 forms, and for 2023, use 2023 forms. You can download them from the IRS website by searching for the form number and year. Also worth noting - if you're owed a refund for 2022, you must claim it by April 2025 (3-year deadline), or you lose it forever. The IRS doesn't send reminder notices for unclaimed refunds, so it's 100% on you to file before the deadline.

One thing nobody mentioned - if you're filing multiple years of back taxes, mail them in SEPARATE envelopes! I made the mistake of putting 3 years in one envelope and the IRS misplaced two of my returns. Took 9 months to sort out. Also, make copies of EVERYTHING before sending! Trust me, you'll thank yourself later if anything goes wrong.

Just wanted to add one more important point - if you're expecting refunds for both 2022 and 2023, you should definitely prioritize filing your 2022 return first since that 3-year deadline (April 2025) is coming up fast. You've got more time for your 2023 return. Also, don't forget to include all your income documents when you file. I see you mentioned W-2s and 1099s - make sure you have ALL of them, including any 1099-INT for bank interest or 1099-DIV for dividends, even if they're small amounts. The IRS already has copies of these documents, so if you miss one, it could delay your refund or trigger correspondence. Since you mentioned the tax stuff makes your head spin, consider using Free File if your income qualifies (usually under $73,000). It's free IRS-approved software that can handle prior year returns and walks you through everything step by step. Much easier than trying to figure out paper forms on your own!