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lbigdogl · Apr 7, 2007, 09:36 PM

[F]ok ........im am a total dummy:o .........i havent filed my taxes for the last three years........i want to get it straightened out..............I havent a clue what to do or where to start......I figured this might be a good place......is there anyone that can stop laughing at me long enough to get me started in the right directions......or maybe someone that has made this same bonehead mistake................I would really appreciate any help received

missk · Apr 7, 2007, 10:16 PM

If I were you I would call the IRS @ 1-800-829-1040 and a representative should be able to help you figure out exactly what you need to do. You could probably do everything yourself-it just takes patience and time. I do my own taxes and they are always helpful for me.

Mobea · Apr 8, 2007, 05:57 AM

Do you have all of the w-2's, interest income, dividend income, etc, etc. that you need to file? If you do, you should file. You can go to the IRS web site and download the forms for past years to use. Internal Revenue Service. If not, then missk is right, you can call the IRS and they can send you a transcript of all income that was reported to them each year, and you can use that to file your returns with. You can get 2003, 2004 and 2005 transcripts from them now, but they probably will not be able to provide you with 2006 until late in the year or maybe even next year. So file an extension for 2006 if you don't have all of your information.
If you didn't file for 2003, then you need to file that return right NOW because if you are due a refund, this is the last year that you can claim it. Otherwise, you forfeit it.
Don't feel bad, a lot of people are what we call "batch filers" meaning that they file several years in a row. You are not alone.

TheSavage · Apr 8, 2007, 06:20 AM

And if you over paid [which I always do] there are no fines or penalties. -- Savage

AtlantaTaxExpert · Apr 17, 2007, 11:04 AM

BigDog:

First, I am not laughing. A tax year does not go by where I encounter at least one person in your same situation. A three-year backlog is not that bad. I once had a client with a 15-year backlog.

TheSavage has it right, though. If you overpaid on your taxes, you can file and get your refunds for 2004, 2005 and 2006. Unfortunately, if you also did not file for 2003, you have forfeited THAT refund, as you had to have filed by Saturday to claim the 2003 refund. The god news is that you will get paid INTEREST on the refund amount by the IRS and the states.

If you have the documents, go to any local tax professional. They can file the required returns for you no problem.