How to file U.S. taxes, very late edition

February 18, 2022 11:47 PM

I still haven't filed my taxes for 2020. I filed an extension and then didn't file by the extension deadline, but I didn't owe any taxes and instead will get a refund, so I'm not worried about late payment penalties.

I have a couple 0f questions: 1) do I need to file my 2020 taxes before I file my 2021 taxes? 2) Do I need to file my 2020 taxes via paper form/mail at this point? And/or what's the fastest way to get my 2020 tax refund, given that I'm filing so late?

posted by overglow to Law & Government (2 answers total)

Best answer: You don’t need to file 2020 first, but you should because it’ll make 2021 easier/more accurate if you have the 2020 information. I believe you have to paper file now, but you can still use tax software to generate the return, and then you can efile 2021 right away with that information imported into the 2021 software. I don’t know of a way to speed up getting the 2020 refund other than to get it in the mail today. Gogogo.
posted by michaelh at 6:10 AM on February 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Yes, you can do the web-based process to e-file, them mail it in. I once filed 4 years at once, got my current-year erfund in the normal time-frame, the others were pretty fast, the IRS corrected an error. This is a Just do It situation, but pay a pal $50 to help you get moving if you just can't face it.
posted by theora55 at 7:03 AM on February 19, 2022 [4 favorites]