Where to send prior year federal tax returns for 2021, 2022 filing catch-up?

14 Thanks for the info! Do I need to include any kind of explanation letter with my late returns? And will I definitely get hit with penalties for filing late even if I'm owed refunds for those years?

8 You don't need to include an explanation letter with your late returns - the IRS knows they're late based on the filing date. Just complete the forms accurately and submit them. Regarding penalties, if you're owed a refund, you typically won't face failure-to-file penalties. However, if you owe taxes for those years, you'll likely face both failure-to-file penalties (up to 25% of unpaid taxes) and failure-to-pay penalties (0.5% per month), plus interest on the unpaid amount. The good news is that if you're due refunds, you can still claim them within three years of the original due date, so 2021's refund is still claimable until April 2025.

3 How does taxr.ai handle state returns? I also have to file state returns for multiple years and I'm even more confused about those requirements.

17 I've seen a couple people mention this tool but I'm skeptical... does it actually connect to the IRS systems or is it just another tax guide? What makes it different from just using turbotax or something?

12 The service handles state returns as well - it analyzes your situation and tells you exactly which state forms you need to file alongside your federal returns. For Virginia specifically, it'll show you the correct forms and filing addresses for each tax year. What makes it different from regular tax software is that it's specifically designed for document analysis rather than just form filling. It doesn't connect directly to IRS systems, but it uses AI to review your documents, past returns, and specific situations - especially helpful when dealing with multiple years of unfiled returns. Unlike TurboTax which is primarily for current year filing, this tool specializes in helping people who need to file for multiple years and catch up on past returns.

23 How does this actually work? I've been on hold with the IRS for like 2 hours before giving up. Do they somehow jump the queue for you?

6 Yeah right. I'm supposed to believe some random service can magically get through to the IRS when millions of people can't? Sounds like a scam to me. The IRS phone system is deliberately designed to be impenetrable.

9 It works by using an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When a representative finally answers, the system calls you and connects you directly to the agent. It's basically handling the painful waiting process so you don't have to sit there with a phone to your ear for hours. The service doesn't jump any queues or have special access - it just does the waiting for you. IRS wait times are ridiculous (often 2+ hours), but this way you can go about your day and get a call back when an actual human is on the line. I was skeptical too until I tried it, but it saved me a ton of frustration during tax season when the wait times are at their worst.

19 Wait seriously? So if I don't file my 2021 taxes by next April I just completely lose any refund I was owed? That seems crazy harsh!

11 Yes, that's absolutely correct. The IRS has a strict 3-year statute of limitations on claiming refunds. After that deadline passes, any refund you were entitled to is forfeited permanently. For 2021 tax returns, the original filing deadline was April 18, 2022 (it was delayed from the usual April 15), so you have until April 18, 2025 to file and still receive your refund. For 2022 returns, you'd have until April 2026. This is one of the most overlooked rules that ends up costing people money they're rightfully owed, so make sure you file before those deadlines!

4 I second this! You can also use IRS Direct Pay to pay any taxes you owe electronically even if you mail paper returns. That way there's an electronic record of your payment tied to those specific tax years.

Thanks for the detailed advice! The 16-week processing time is good to know - I was wondering how long it might take. Quick question: when you say to wait until the original returns are processed before filing amendments, how do you know when they're fully processed? Do you get some kind of confirmation from the IRS, or do you just have to wait the full 16 weeks?

You'll know your original return is processed when you can see it reflected in your IRS online account transcript, or when you receive any correspondence from the IRS about that return (like a notice of assessment or refund check). You can also call the IRS to check processing status, though as others mentioned here, getting through can be challenging. The key thing is not to file the 1040X amendment until the IRS has the original return in their system. If you file the amendment too early, it can cause confusion and delays since they won't have the original to compare it against. I learned this the hard way when I tried to rush an amendment for my 2020 return! Also worth noting - if you're owed additional refunds from your amendments, those can take even longer to process than the original late returns, sometimes 12-16 weeks additional processing time.

Great point about the standard deduction amounts! I hadn't thought about that changing year to year. This is exactly the kind of detail that would trip me up. The state filing situation sounds complicated too - did you have to pay taxes to both states for that year, or were you able to get credits to avoid double taxation? I'm staying in Virginia for all the years I need to file, but I'm curious how that works for people who moved. Thanks for sharing those specific deduction amounts - I'm going to write those down so I don't mix them up when I'm filling out the forms.