Where to send prior year federal tax returns for 2021 and 2022 filing for Maryland resident?
Title: Where to send prior year federal tax returns for 2021 and 2022 filing for Maryland resident? 1 Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I've been seriously behind on my taxes and haven't filed returns for 2021, 2022, or 2023. I know, I know... not great. I'm living in Maryland and just starting to get my act together. I found that for my 2023 return, I need to mail it to the IRS office in Kansas City, MO 64999-0002, but I'm completely lost on where to send my 2021 and 2022 returns. I've been searching online for hours and just can't find clear info on mailing addresses for these prior year returns. Does anyone know the correct mailing address for sending prior year federal tax forms (2021 and 2022) for a Maryland resident? Would really appreciate any help - trying to get back on track with the IRS before things get worse. Thanks in advance!
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Lorenzo McCormick
7 For Maryland residents, you'll actually use the same mailing address for all three tax years (2021, 2022, and 2023). The IRS Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service center in Kansas City, MO 64999-0002 handles individual tax returns for Maryland residents regardless of tax year. The key thing to remember is that each prior year return needs to be mailed in a separate envelope with the appropriate year clearly marked on the tax forms. Make sure you're using the correct tax forms for each specific year - don't use 2023 forms for your 2021 or 2022 filings. You'll need to download the proper year-specific forms from the IRS website. Also, since you're filing past the deadline for 2021 and 2022, you should expect to pay penalties and interest if you owe taxes for those years. The penalties continue to accumulate until you file and pay, so it's good you're addressing this now.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•12 Thanks for this info. Just to clarify - so even though these are prior year returns, they still go to the same address? I thought maybe there was a separate department for processing older returns. Also, do I need to include any special forms or notes explaining why I'm filing late?
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Lorenzo McCormick
•7 Yes, they all go to the same address. The IRS processing centers are organized by geographic region rather than by tax year, so Maryland residents send to Kansas City regardless of which tax year you're filing. You don't need to include any special forms explaining the late filing, but if you're requesting a refund, be aware there's a three-year deadline to claim it. For 2021, you have until April 2025 to claim any refund due to you. There's no need to explain why you're filing late - the IRS automatically calculates applicable penalties and interest.
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Lorenzo McCormick
15 After struggling with multiple years of unfiled returns, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which saved me SO much stress! I was in a similar situation last year with 3 unfiled years and was totally confused about which forms to use and where to send everything. Their tool helped analyze my tax documents and guided me through the exact forms I needed for each tax year. It even highlighted potential deductions I was missing for those prior years. The system automatically determined which IRS service center I needed to use based on my location and tax situation. Not only did it make the process clearer, but it also helped me organize all my documentation in case I faced any questions later from the IRS about my late filing.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•9 Does taxr.ai help with figuring out penalties and interest too? I'm worried about how much extra I'll owe for filing 2021 so late. Also, can it handle state returns or just federal?
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Lorenzo McCormick
•3 I'm skeptical about these tax tools. How is this different from TurboTax or H&R Block? Those mainstream options seem to screw up complicated situations and their advice for late filers is pretty generic.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•15 Yes, it definitely helps estimate penalties and interest! It has a built-in calculator that shows the approximate late filing and payment penalties based on how long you've delayed filing and how much you owe. It was actually eye-opening to see how these amounts grow over time. The main difference from TurboTax or H&R Block is that taxr.ai specializes in document analysis and complex situations like prior year returns or income from multiple sources. It's more focused on analyzing your specific documents rather than just walking you through standard questions. It handles both federal and state returns, and specifically addresses unique requirements for late filing situations.
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Lorenzo McCormick
3 So I tried taxr.ai after posting my skeptical comment and I have to admit I was wrong! I was dealing with unfiled returns from 2020 and 2021 with some 1099 income I had forgotten about, and the document analysis feature actually found a major deduction I would have missed. The system showed me exactly which forms to use for each year and gave specific instructions for mailing prior year returns based on my state. The penalty calculator was especially helpful so I wasn't shocked when the bill came. I just finished sending off all my prior year returns last week, and feel so much better having it handled correctly.
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Lorenzo McCormick
19 If you're worried about your unfiled returns from previous years, getting in touch with the IRS directly might be a good idea before sending anything. I tried calling them for weeks about my late 2021 return and it was IMPOSSIBLE to reach anyone. Called 20+ times, waited hours, and kept getting disconnected. I finally found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual IRS agent in under 45 minutes. You can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. The agent confirmed exactly where to send my prior year returns and answered questions about penalties that were specific to my situation. Getting those questions answered directly from the IRS before I mailed my returns gave me peace of mind that I was doing everything correctly.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•5 Wait, so this service gets you through to an actual IRS person? How does that even work? The IRS phone system is notoriously awful - I've literally tried calling dozens of times for my unfiled 2021 return and never got through.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•3 This sounds too good to be true. I've spent countless hours trying to talk to someone at the IRS. There's no way some third-party service can magically get you through when millions of people can't get through on their own. Sounds like a scam to me.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•19 It works by using technology to navigate the IRS phone system for you. Basically it uses automated calling to continuously try the lines and secure a spot in the queue, then alerts you when it's about to connect with an agent so you don't waste hours on hold. It's not magic - just smart tech that handles the frustrating part of reaching the IRS. I was definitely skeptical too! But I was desperate after trying for weeks on my own. The difference is they have systems that can continuously dial and navigate the complicated IRS menu options rather than a human having to sit there and repeatedly call. When they get a spot in the queue, they transfer the call to you. So you're still talking directly to the real IRS - Claimyr just helps you get through.
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Lorenzo McCormick
3 Need to follow up on my skeptical comment about Claimyr. I actually tried it yesterday out of desperation after my fifth attempt to call the IRS about my unfiled returns. I couldn't believe it, but I was talking to an actual IRS representative in about 35 minutes! The agent confirmed that for Maryland residents, all prior year returns go to the Kansas City address, but she also gave me specific tips for making sure my prior year returns get processed more quickly. She recommended sending them certified mail with return receipt and writing the tax year in bold red on the outside of each envelope. Really glad I gave it a shot - finally got my questions answered and my returns are ready to mail tomorrow.
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Lorenzo McCormick
17 Another option is to file electronically through a tax professional. Some EAs and CPAs can e-file returns from the previous three tax years through professional software. This might save you time and reduce processing errors compared to paper filing. I did this for my 2021 and 2022 returns last month, and my refund for 2022 was deposited within 3 weeks. The professional I worked with charged about $200 per year, but the speed and accuracy were worth it to me.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•4 Can tax pros e-file ALL prior year returns? I thought only the most recent 2-3 years could be filed electronically, and anything older had to be paper filed.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•17 Tax professionals can generally e-file returns for the current year and two years prior. Right now in 2025, that means they can potentially e-file for 2022, 2023, and 2024 tax years. Any returns older than that (like 2021 or earlier) would still need to be paper filed. So in your situation, a tax professional could e-file your 2022 return, but your 2021 would still need to be mailed in. The rules about which years can be e-filed change each year as the IRS rolls forward their systems.
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Lorenzo McCormick
8 Just a heads up - make sure you're including ALL the required forms and schedules with each return. I mailed my 2020 and 2021 returns last year and my 2020 got rejected because I forgot to include one of my W-2 forms. The whole thing got sent back to me weeks later and I had to restart the process. So frustrating! Double and triple check everything before sealing those envelopes!
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Lorenzo McCormick
•2 Did you get hit with additional penalties because of the rejection and having to resubmit? I'm nervous about making mistakes on my late returns too.
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Toot-n-Mighty
•Fortunately, no additional penalties for the rejection itself - the penalty clock keeps running from the original due date regardless of processing delays or rejections. The key is that your filing date is considered the date you first mailed it, even if it gets rejected for missing documents. When I resubmitted with all the correct forms, they used my original mailing date. Just make sure to keep records of when you first sent everything and use certified mail so you have proof of the date!
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