Can I Still File My 2017 Taxes Electronically In 2020?

No, you can't electronically file your 2017 tax return in 2020. The IRS only allows e-filing for the current tax year and the two previous ones. That means in 2020, only 2020, 2019, and 2018 returns could be filed online.

No, you can't electronically file a 2017 tax return in 2026 because the IRS only accepts e-file for the current year and the two prior years.

As of 2026, the IRS e-file system is only open for tax years 2026, 2025, and 2024. If you need to file a 2017 return, you'll have to prepare it with tax software and then mail in a paper copy. Alternatively, a tax professional could submit it for you. You can still use software to get the return filled out accurately before printing and sending it off.

Yes, you absolutely could have filed your 2017 tax return in 2021, but to claim any refund, you really needed to get it in by May 17, 2021 (or October 15, 2021, if you had an extension).

After those deadlines, the IRS generally considers any potential refund forfeited. You could still submit the return to meet your filing requirements, though. Just keep in mind that filing late doesn't let you apply a potential refund to other tax years. If you actually owed tax, filing late could unfortunately lead to penalties and interest.

Yes, you could file a 2017 return in 2020 to claim a refund, since the IRS allows refund claims for up to three prior years.

The refund window for the 2017 tax year closed on May 17, 2021, so filing in 2020 was definitely within that period. You would've needed to submit a paper return, though, because e-file for 2017 wasn't available after 2018. Any refund would have been issued as a paper check or direct deposit after processing.

No, a 2017 W-2 has to be reported on your 2017 tax return; you can't just attach it to a 2020 return.

If you forgot to include that W-2 on your 2017 filing, you'd need to amend that year's return using Form 1040-X. You had to do this before the refund deadline (May 17, 2021, or Oct 15, 2021, with an extension). After that date, you can still amend to fix errors, but you won't get a refund for those omitted wages. The IRS actually gets W-2 copies directly from employers, so mismatches are often caught automatically (which is pretty efficient, honestly).

The IRS expects you to file the last six returns to be considered in good standing, but there isn't actually a legal limit on how far back you can file.

You can submit older returns whenever you want. However, refunds are only available for returns filed within three years of the original due date. In cases of suspected fraud or if you significantly underreported income, the IRS might look at returns even further back than six years. Filing very old returns usually means paper filing, and you might find it helpful to get some professional assistance.

No, you can't electronically file a 2017 tax return in 2026; the IRS only accepts e-file for the current year and the two previous years.

You can still use tax preparation software to complete your 2017 return, but you'll have to print it out and mail it to the IRS. The e-file system for prior-year returns was actually shut down after October 15, 2018. If you need to amend a 2017 return, you'll use Form 1040-X and send that in by mail too.

Yes, you could amend a 2017 return in 2021 using Form 1040-X, but to claim a refund, you had to do so by May 17, 2021 (or October 15, 2021, with an extension).

After those dates, you could still file an amended return to correct errors, but the IRS wouldn't issue a refund for the original year. Amending after the deadline might still reduce potential penalties if you owe additional tax, as it shows you're trying to correct things. Always keep copies of all your supporting documents when you file Form 1040-X.

If you forget to include a W-2, the IRS will likely notice the mismatch because they get copies directly from employers, which can lead to a notice adjusting your return.

That adjustment might mean you owe more tax, plus penalties and interest. Or, it could reduce or even completely eliminate a refund you were counting on. You've got three years from the original due date to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) and get any refund back; after that, the refund is gone. Dealing with the omission quickly helps keep those extra charges to a minimum.

You can request a copy of your W-2 from the IRS by filing Form 4506 (there's a fee, and it can take up to 75 days to process) or get a free wage transcript using Form 4506-T.

The wage transcript shows your earnings and employer information, but it's not the exact W-2 format. Still, it's often good enough for verifying income. If your employer isn't in business anymore, you might need to reach out to the Social Security Administration for your wage records. Make sure to keep your request confirmation and follow up if you don't receive the documents within the stated timeframe.

No, each tax year's return must only report the income you earned during that specific year; last year's income doesn't carry over to your current year's filing.

You need to report all your 2025 income on your 2025 return. This is what determines your tax liability and whether you qualify for credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. Including prior-year income would incorrectly inflate your earnings and could definitely trigger an IRS notice. Always start fresh for each tax year, it's just easier.

Yes, you can file a return from three years ago, but you'll only get a refund if you file it within three years of the original due date.

Once that three-year refund window closes, you can still submit the return to meet filing requirements, but the IRS won't send you a refund. Filing older returns might be necessary to clear up past due taxes or to qualify for certain loans that need proof of filing. For years beyond the e-file window, you'll typically need to paper file.

After three years of not filing, you lose the chance to claim any refund for those years. Plus, the IRS might prepare a substitute return for you, assess tax, penalties, and interest, and could eventually take collection actions like liens or levies.

The IRS's substitute return often leaves out deductions and credits you could have claimed, potentially making your tax bill much higher. Not filing for a long time can lead to ever-increasing penalties and might even impact your ability to get credit or government benefits. Filing those delinquent returns, even if they're late, stops further penalties from building up and shows you're making an effort.

Even if you don't owe any tax, failing to file can mean you forfeit refundable credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit) after three years. The IRS might still file a substitute return that could show a balance due because you missed out on deductions or credits.

That substitute return probably won't include credits you're eligible for, which can turn a zero-tax situation into an apparent tax debt. You have three years from the original due date to claim those credits by filing a return; after that, they're simply lost. Filing a return, even when you don't expect to owe anything, protects your rights to refunds and credits.

To file a 2017 return, you'll need Form 1040 (or Form 1040-SIR for seniors) and any applicable schedules, along with copies of your W-2s, 1099s, and other income documents.

Common schedules include Schedule C for business income, Schedule D for capital gains, and Schedule A for itemized deductions. If you're amending a 2017 return you already filed, you must use Form 1040-X and attach any changed schedules or forms. Make sure to keep all your supporting records for at least three years from the filing date, just in case the IRS has questions about your return.