How to File a Late Tax Return With a Refund Due
Unexpected things can happen in a person's life that leaves filing their tax return far down on the list of important things to do. Eventually, tax filing works its way up the list and you're faced with preparing a late tax return. If you're late filing your return and you have a tax liability due, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can assess penalties and interest on the unpaid tax liability, but if you're filing late and are due to receive a tax refund, the IRS will not assess a late filing penalty.
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Instructions
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Prepare your tax return manually or using a tax preparation software or service. While the IRS will not assess a penalty for late filing when a refund is due, you must file the return within three years from the time the return was due or two years from the time you paid in taxes to receive the refund.
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Submit your return to the IRS. If you prepared the tax return manually, then mail the forms to the address indicated on the forms. If you used tax preparation software, submit your return electronically according to the software's instructions.
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Log onto the IRS website or into the tax preparation software to receive a status report on the receipt of your return and the processing of your refund.
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