November 15, 2019 is the cut off date for e-filing 2016, 2017 and 2018 tax returns. This deadline is so the IRS can update their systems to get ready for the 2019 tax return filings. This does not mean you cannot file the return, it simply means that you cannot e-file the returns until the IRS opens the portal again to e-file returns. If you need to file these tax returns, you can paper file anytime. E-filing helps process the returns faster than paper filing. Either way, filing your tax returns are an important part of staying in compliance.
What if you have not filed taxes in years? We can still help you prepare and file those returns. This is common and we see a lot of clients come in with unfiled tax returns going back 10 years or more. The great thing about being able to get your back tax returns filed with our office, we have the ability to file your federal and state returns back approximately 20 years if needed. Although IRS has a statute of filing, the State of California extends that deadline to 20 years.
What if you don’t have a filing requirement? Technically, if you do not have a filing requirement, you do not have to file a tax return. Always consult with a licensed, educated, and certified tax preparer. We recommend filing a return for informational purposes for those clients that had a filing requirement the previous year; this provides the information to the Federal and State agencies that there is no filing requirement so there is no confusion as to why a tax return was not filed for you.
