Making Taxes Less Taxing!

I have not filed a required federal income tax return for several years.  I am ready to file my 2011 tax return now and am expecting a refund.  Will the unfiled returns affect my refund? 

It is possible that if you have not filed all required returns up to date, your current year's refund could be held until you file all required returns. 

Before you file, you can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 between the hours of 7am to 7 pm local time.  Verify with the representative that you speak to whether your account shows that you have a filing requirement for past years that you need to fulfill that could impact your current refund. 

If so, you will have no choice but to file the outstanding returns.  This requires that you request that the W2s and or 1099s that the IRS possesses under your name and social security number be mailed or faxed to you if you do not have your past years records.  Alternately, you can pick them up in person at a local IRS office. 

If you plan to file your own taxes, you can secure the necessary back tax forms at the IRS website www.irs.gov.  Keep in mind that if you are required to file back year's tax returns, processing time on these returns can take up to 6 to 8 weeks. 

For more information: 

IRS We Have a Problem: The IRS Refund Hold.