Question

What if I didn’t file taxes last year, or forgot to file taxes, should I file a late tax return?

Answer

It depends. You should first determine if you were required to file a return. If your income was under certain levels, you’re not required to file. See the filing requirement in Publication 501 under “Who must file.” If you do have a filing requirement, then you should:

  • File your last year’s federal and state returns on last year’s forms.
  • Pay any balance due as soon as possible to avoid additional penalties and interest.

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