how many years back can you go to file taxes?

Answer 1

You can go back all the way back to the first time you had income. But if you are also asking how far back can you file to receive a refund it is generally 3 years. Sometimes an exception can be made but usually not. This is in reference to Federal Taxes only. States vary.

Answer 2

Be wary of any advice about this that you get from the Internet. Obviously you should have filed all along. The problem now is whether or not you should file any back tax returns at all if you cannot afford to pay the taxes. If you do file, I'd file the three years that are past due, pay all taxes and penalties, file and pay the current one on time and hope the IRS doesn't choose to look back farther than 3 years. As general operating policy they do not audit back beyond three years and after 10 years they do not pursue collections. Call the IRS, Tax Payer Advocate in your district for additional advice. This party is very helpful and will not advise you erroneously. If you are talking about what may be really big bucks, I'd advise you to get good representation immediately. In the end you will save tens of thousands and headaches.

Answer 3

If you haven't filed your taxes for a particular year, the year stays "open" indefinitely. The 3 year rule mentioned above applies to tax returns that have been filed. The IRS can only question you on your returns that were filed within 3 years. If you have not filed, then the IRS can come a knocking, the years you haven't filed never expire. If you are due a refund, then filing may get you your money, but the IRS may not give you any interest for the refund amount. If you owe.. look out, the penaties and interest will pile up fast, starting with the original due date of the return.

Answer 4

3 years

Answer 5

3 years

Answer 6

Current year and three past years.

This is the standard for claiming refunds; it's the same standard for amending past returns, and it's the same standard for the number of years for keeping your receipts (the IRS can't go back any further than this to audit you unless you're in an ongoing investigation).

(Note to Nightstalker1967: The IRS audits all returns every year. Many people don't know this. There is a cursory audit for each return by the IRS database. It compares all social security numbers and names and matches them to last year's and current returns. The computer also compares all W-2 and 1099 information sent in to what you've reported and haven't reported. The computer will also flag all taxpayers it expects to owe money based on this information. If you don't file, you'll get a nasty little letter from them. If you are due a refund, you won't ever hear from them. Keep this in mind when you're advising others.)

Answer 7

I THINK YOU CAN ONLY GO BACK AS FAR AS THREE YEARS.

THIS CAME FROM EXPERTS.ABOUT.COM :

1. Late returns cannot be filed online. However, you can get forms for past years. Go to www.irs.gov, click on "forms and publications," then click on "previous years." You could do them yourself or hire someone, that depends on your comfort level of preparing the returns. Other than being late, there is nothing special about these returns.
2. You have 3 years to file and get your refund.
3. Whatever legimitate deductions you have - take. If you have the expenditures and can prove them, you have nothing to fear in a audit.

Answer 8

You have to file every year. If you skipped a year a while back, it's best to not go back and take your chances, since your penalty would be huge at this point.

If you want to know how many years the IRS can audit you for, I think it's 7.

Answer 9

may be one year

Answer 10

i think its 4