Bring Your Federal Tax Filings Up to Date

A mid-year tax review should start with checking whether any federal returns are still outstanding and filing them as soon as possible. You can open an IRS Online Account to review your tax history and confirm whether prior-year returns were submitted.

If you are unsure whether you must file, the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant, “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?”, can help you determine your filing requirement.

Even if your income was too low to require a return, filing may still be worthwhile so you do not miss a refund. That can matter if federal income tax was withheld from your wages, you made estimated tax payments, had an overpayment from a previous year applied to your current estimated tax, or qualify for credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. A refund can only be issued after a tax return is filed.

Submitting overdue returns matters for more than just avoiding a missed refund or credit. It can also help:

• Protect your Social Security benefits;
• Prevent problems when applying for loans; and
• Keep the IRS from preparing a substitute return for you, which may not include deductions and exemptions you are entitled to claim and could leave you owing more.

Failing to file when required can lead to serious consequences.

Locate the records you need

Create or sign in to your IRS Online Account to view, access, and print:

• Important information from your most recently filed return, including your adjusted gross income, along with transcripts; and
• Electronic copies of certain IRS notices.

Here are other ways to find records tied to specific tax issues:

Wage and income information – Submit Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, and check the box on line 8. You may also ask your employer for a copy of your Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement.

Advance Child Tax Credit payments – Review Letter 6419, which lists the total Advance Child Tax Credit payments issued to you.

Earned Income Tax Credit – Request an account transcript online using Get Transcript. You can also use the EITC Assistant to check whether you qualify, estimate the amount you may receive, and find answers to common questions.

Help with a past-due return

Tax forms – Download IRS tax forms and instructions online to prepare a late return, or order them by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Preparation help – If you need assistance preparing a return, you may qualify for help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) or for free tax preparation from volunteers.

Note: LITCs can prepare returns once the filing deadline has passed.

Ways to file

The IRS recommends filing electronically through a tax professional, IRS Free File, free tax preparation sites, or commercial tax software.

You may also submit your return by mail or through a private delivery service. If you have to file on paper, consider using certified mail with return receipt. That provides proof of when you mailed the return and when the IRS received it.

Need to fix a return you already filed?

If you discover an error after filing your individual return, you can amend it. This usually means filing Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to report changes to income, deductions, or credits. In some cases, you may also be able to change your filing status.

Owe taxes you cannot pay?

If you owe taxes and the return is overdue, file as soon as possible to reduce additional failure-to-file penalties.

If you cannot pay the full amount right away, pay what you can to limit the penalties and interest that continue to grow, and review IRS payment options, including an offer in compromise. Each option has different requirements and fees, so review them carefully. Depending on your financial situation, you may qualify for Currently Not Collectible status.

For more updates from the Taxpayer Advocate Service, visit its news and information center for tax tips, blogs, alerts, and more.