Have you missed filing a tax return from a previous year?
Help Preparing Unfiled Tax Returns
Falling behind on tax filing can happen for many reasons.
You may have:
- Missed a filing deadline
- Changed jobs
- Moved
- Lost tax documents
- Experienced a major life change
- Been self-employed without organized records
- Operated a business
- Had multiple income sources
- Been unsure whether you needed to file
- Put off filing for several years
Whatever the reason, organizing the missing years is an important first step.
We help qualifying clients prepare prior-year tax returns using the available information and applicable tax requirements for the year involved.
What Are Prior-Year Tax Returns?
A prior-year tax return is a return for an earlier tax year that has not yet been filed.
For example, someone may have filed recent returns but discovered that an older year was never completed.
Other taxpayers may have several consecutive years that still need to be prepared.
Each tax year should be treated separately because:
- Income can change
- Employers can change
- Business activity can change
- Dependents can change
- Filing status can change
- Tax rules can change
- Available deductions and credits can change
- Filing requirements can change
The information for each year should be reviewed individually.
Haven't Filed Taxes in Several Years?
If you haven't filed for multiple years, avoid combining everything into one pile without separating the records by tax year.
Start by identifying the years that may be missing.
Then organize documents into separate categories:
- Tax Year 1
- Tax Year 2
- Tax Year 3
- Tax Year 4
Continue as necessary for the years involved.
This makes it easier to identify missing documents and prepare the applicable returns in an organized sequence.
I Haven't Filed Taxes in Years — Where Do I Start?
Start with these basic steps:
Identify the tax years you believe are unfiled.
Locate any prior returns you have.
Gather W-2 and 1099 forms for each missing year.
Gather business records if you were self-employed.
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Gather rental-property records when applicable.
Collect applicable dependent and personal information.
Keep IRS or other tax-agency correspondence.
Schedule a prior-year tax preparation appointment.
You do not need to have perfectly organized records before asking for help, but having as much documentation as possible can make the process more efficient.
Prior-Year W-2 Tax Preparation
If you were an employee during an unfiled year, gather W-2 forms from every applicable employer.
You may have multiple W-2s if you:
- Changed jobs
- Worked several jobs
- Had seasonal employment
- Worked part time
- Worked through staffing companies
Documents should be separated by tax year.
Prior-Year 1099 Tax Preparation
Independent contractors, freelancers, consultants, and gig workers may have 1099 forms from previous years.
Potential documentation may include:
- 1099 forms
- Platform statements
- Customer payment records
- Bank records
- Business-income records
- Expense records
- Mileage documentation
- Other applicable business records
Receiving no particular 1099 does not necessarily mean applicable business income had no reporting requirements.
Back Taxes for Self-Employed Taxpayers
Preparing older returns can be more involved when you were self-employed.
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We assist qualifying:
- Independent contractors
- Freelancers
- Consultants
- Rideshare drivers
- Delivery drivers
- Real estate professionals
- Insurance professionals
- Construction contractors
- Cleaning professionals
- Landscaping professionals
- Home-service providers
- Other self-employed taxpayers
For each missing year, gather applicable income and expense records separately.
Missing Business Records
Sometimes self-employed taxpayers no longer have perfectly organized records from an older year.
Gather whatever legitimate records remain available, such as:
- Bank statements
- Credit-card statements
- 1099 forms
- Customer invoices
- Payment processor reports
- Receipts
- Mileage records
- Business calendars
- Accounting records
- Other supporting documentation
Do not invent or estimate unsupported expenses simply because records are missing.
Documentation should support the information used to prepare the return.
Prior-Year Small Business Tax Preparation
Businesses can also fall behind on tax filings.
We provide prior-year tax preparation for qualifying:
- Sole proprietors
- LLCs
- Partnerships
- S corporations
- Corporations
- Other qualifying small businesses
The return required depends on the business structure, federal tax classification, tax year, and circumstances.
Business records may include:
- Profit and loss statements
- Revenue records
- Expense records
- Payroll records
- Contractor information
- Assets
- Ownership information
- Prior business returns
- Entity documents
- Other applicable records
Prior-Year LLC Tax Preparation
The term LLC does not by itself determine which federal income tax return applies.
Depending on ownership and applicable elections, an LLC may potentially be treated for federal income tax purposes as a:
- Disregarded entity
- Partnership
- S corporation
- Corporation
Determining the applicable filing structure is particularly important when several prior years remain unfiled.
Prior-Year Rental Property Tax Returns
Rental-property owners may need additional records when preparing older returns.
Potential documentation includes:
- Rental income
- Property management statements
- Repair records
- Maintenance expenses
- Insurance
- Property tax information
- Property acquisition records
- Improvement records
- Prior depreciation information
- Property sale documentation when applicable
Rental-property tax treatment can depend on information carried from one tax year to another, making prior returns and depreciation records particularly useful.
Prior-Year Returns With Multiple Income Sources
Some taxpayers have several income sources during the same year.
Examples include:
- Multiple W-2s
- W-2 + 1099
- W-2 + self-employment
- W-2 + rental income
- Retirement + W-2
- Retirement + consulting
- Business + rental property
- Employment + business + rental income
Gather documentation for every applicable income source for each year.
What If I Lost My W-2s or 1099s?
Missing tax documents can make prior-year preparation more difficult, but it does not necessarily mean you should continue postponing the process.
First, gather everything you still have.
Depending on the circumstances, additional wage and income information may be obtainable from the employer, payer, financial institution, or applicable tax records.
The exact documentation needed depends on the year and type of income involved.
IRS Transcripts & Prior-Year Information
In certain situations, IRS transcripts may provide useful information when preparing older returns.
However, transcripts may not contain every detail needed to accurately reconstruct a return.
For example, additional documentation may still be necessary for:
- Business expenses
- Rental-property expenses
- Basis information
- Property transactions
- Dependent information
- Other items not fully established by transcript data
Tax transcripts should therefore be treated as one potential source of information rather than automatically assuming they contain everything necessary.
What If I Don't Know Which Years I Need to File?
If you're uncertain which years are missing, gather:
- Copies of returns you have
- Tax notices
- Available W-2s
- Available 1099s
- Other tax records
Your filing history and available documentation may need to be reviewed to determine the appropriate next steps.
What If I Owe Back Taxes?
Preparing an unfiled return and resolving an outstanding tax balance are related but different issues.
A prior-year return determines applicable tax information for that year based on the return being prepared.
If a completed return results in a balance due, additional payment or resolution considerations may arise.
We do not promise that preparing a prior-year return will eliminate taxes, penalties, interest, or other amounts.
Tax-debt representation, collection matters, offers in compromise, installment agreements, appeals, or other tax-resolution services may require separate services and appropriate professional authorization.
What If I'm Due a Refund From an Older Year?
A prior-year return may potentially result in an overpayment or refund depending on the taxpayer's circumstances.
However, time limits can apply to refund claims.
Do not assume that an old refund remains available indefinitely.
The tax year, filing date, applicable deadlines, and individual circumstances should be reviewed.
Will Filing Back Taxes Get Me in Trouble?
People sometimes delay filing because they are worried about what will happen once a return is prepared.
Continuing to avoid an unfiled-return issue does not resolve the underlying filing requirement.
The appropriate consequences and next steps depend on:
- The year involved
- Whether a return was required
- Income
- Tax due
- Available documentation
- Prior filings
- Tax-agency activity
- Other circumstances
The practical first step is determining what needs to be filed and preparing accurate returns based on available documentation.
What If the IRS Filed Something for Me?
In some circumstances, a tax authority may take action when a required return has not been filed.
If you have received correspondence concerning an unfiled year, bring the complete notice and related documentation to your appointment.
Do not assume that simply filing a new return is always the only step required.
The situation should be reviewed based on the notice and circumstances.
IRS Notices About Unfiled Returns
If you have received an IRS or other tax-agency notice, keep it.
Bring:
- The complete notice
- All pages and attachments
- Available tax documents
- Previous correspondence
- Applicable prior returns
- Other relevant records
Pay particular attention to response deadlines.
Notice-response or representation services may be outside the scope of standard tax-return preparation.
Prior-Year Return vs. Amended Return
These are different services.
Prior-Year Return
A prior-year return generally involves preparing an applicable return from an earlier year that has not been filed.
Amended Return
An amended return generally involves correcting certain information on a return that was already filed.
If you already filed the return but believe it contains an error, visit our Tax Amendments page.
What Documents Do I Need for Back Tax Preparation?
The exact documents depend on the year and your circumstances.
Personal Information
Gather applicable:
- Government-issued identification
- Social Security or taxpayer identification information
- Dependent information
- Prior tax returns
- Income Documents
For each year, gather applicable:
- W-2 forms
- 1099 forms
- Retirement-income documents
- Social Security tax documents
- Investment-related tax documents
- Other income statements
- Self-Employment Records
When applicable:
- Business-income records
- Expense records
- Bank statements
- Payment processor statements
- Equipment records
- Mileage records
- Other business documentation
- Business Records
When applicable:
- Profit and loss information
- Entity information
- Ownership records
- Payroll records
- Contractor records
- Asset information
- Prior business returns
- Rental Property Records
When applicable:
- Rental income
- Expenses
- Property management records
- Property acquisition information
- Improvement records
- Depreciation information
- Property sale documentation
- Tax Notices
Bring all applicable IRS or state tax-agency correspondence.
How Our Prior-Year Tax Preparation Process Works
Identify the Missing Years
Determine which tax years may need to be prepared.
Separate Documents by Year
Create a separate group of documents for each tax year.
Gather Missing Information
Collect available W-2s, 1099s, business records, rental records, and other supporting documentation.
Provide Documents Securely
Sensitive tax records should be transmitted through the secure process provided rather than an ordinary unsecured contact form.
Prepare Each Applicable Return
Each return is prepared using the information available and the tax requirements applicable to that year.
Review the Returns
Review applicable information before completing the filing process.
Address the Next Step
Once the returns are prepared, you'll have a clearer understanding of the filing situation for the years involved.
Any separate tax-debt, notice-response, or representation issue can then be identified as appropriate.
Why Choose Us for Prior-Year Tax Preparation?
Organized Approach
Multiple unfiled years can become confusing. We focus on separating and organizing each tax year.
Individual & Business Returns
We assist qualifying individuals, self-employed taxpayers, landlords, and businesses.
1099 & Self-Employment Experience
We understand that reconstructing older business activity may require more documentation than preparing a simple W-2 return.
Multiple Income Sources
We assist qualifying taxpayers with combinations of W-2, 1099, business, retirement, and rental income.
Clear Communication
We help identify which documents are needed for each applicable year.
No Unrealistic Promises
We do not promise that filing prior-year returns will eliminate taxes, guarantee a refund, or produce a particular tax outcome.
Prior-Year Tax Preparation Throughout Central Florida
We serve qualifying clients throughout Orlando and Central Florida, including:
- Orlando
- Kissimmee
- Winter Park
- Winter Garden
- Ocoee
- Apopka
- Altamonte Springs
- Sanford
- Lake Mary
- Clermont
- Davenport
- Celebration
- St. Cloud
- Lake Nona
- Dr. Phillips
- Windermere
- Horizon West
- Deltona
- DeLand
- And surrounding Central Florida communities
Visit our Areas We Serve page for additional locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prior-Year & Back Taxes
Can you prepare taxes I didn't file from previous years?
Yes. We provide prior-year tax preparation for qualifying individuals and businesses depending on the tax years, circumstances, and available records.
What if I haven't filed taxes for several years?
Start by identifying the missing years and gathering documents for each year separately. Multiple years can then be addressed in an organized manner.
What if I lost my W-2 or 1099?
Gather the documents you still have. Depending on the circumstances, additional wage and income information may be obtainable from other appropriate sources.
Can you prepare old 1099 and self-employed returns?
Yes. We assist qualifying independent contractors and self-employed taxpayers with prior-year preparation.
Can you prepare prior-year business tax returns?
We can assist qualifying businesses, depending on the entity, tax year, available records, and filing requirements.
Can you prepare prior-year LLC returns?
Potentially. The required filing depends on the LLC's federal tax classification, ownership, elections, and circumstances.
What if I owe taxes for the years I didn't file?
The applicable return should first be prepared using accurate information. If a balance is due, additional payment or tax-resolution considerations may arise.
Am I guaranteed a refund if taxes were withheld?
No. The final result depends on the complete return and applicable tax rules.
Can I still receive an old tax refund?
Possibly, but refund claims can be subject to time limits. The specific tax year and circumstances need to be reviewed.
Is filing a prior-year return the same as amending a return?
No. A prior-year return generally addresses a return that wasn't filed. An amendment generally corrects a return that was already filed.
What if I received an IRS notice about an unfiled return?
Bring the entire notice and related documentation. The appropriate response depends on the notice and circumstances.
Need to Catch Up on Unfiled Tax Returns?
If you have one or several years of unfiled tax returns, getting organized is the first step. Gather the records you have, separate them by tax year, and schedule an appointment to begin reviewing the missing returns.