Who can file my late tax returns remotely?
Short answer: any paid tax preparer with an IRS PTIN can prepare and file your past-due returns, and you never have to sit in an office for it. You send documents through a secure portal, talk by phone or video, sign electronically, and the return is filed for you. What changes is who you need if the IRS is already chasing you.
Who is allowed to prepare a late return
Anyone who prepares federal returns for pay must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS (Treas. Reg. §1.6109-2). In New York, paid preparers who aren't CPAs, attorneys or enrolled agents must also register with the state and put their NYTPRIN on the return (NY Tax Law §32).
That covers four kinds of people:
| Who | Can prepare and file late returns | Can represent you in IRS collections, audits or appeals |
|---|---|---|
| Registered tax preparer (PTIN, and NYTPRIN in New York) | Yes | No |
| Enrolled agent (EA) | Yes | Yes |
| CPA | Yes | Yes |
| Tax attorney | Yes | Yes |
Representation rights come from Treasury Circular 230 (§10.3). Preparing the return and representing you are two different jobs.
Ask any preparer for their PTIN before you send documents. If they won't give it, or won't sign the return as the paid preparer, walk away.
How remote filing works
- A short call. We find out which years are missing and whether you had a W-2, 1099s, a business or rentals in each one.
- Your income records. If you've lost W-2s or 1099s, you can download a free wage and income transcript for each year from your IRS Online Account. It shows what employers and payers reported to the IRS.
- Upload. You upload everything through a secure client portal. Nothing goes by regular email.
- Price in writing. You get a written quote before any work starts.
- Review and sign. You review the finished returns and sign electronically.
- Filing. We file the returns and send you a copy through the portal.
Which years can still be e-filed
The IRS e-file system accepts the current tax year plus the two years before it. Older returns still count. They just get printed, signed and mailed, and we prepare them for you either way.
How far back you need to go
The IRS generally asks people who haven't filed for the last six years of returns (IRS Policy Statement 5-133, IRM 1.2.1.6.18). If you're owed a refund, you only have three years from the original due date to claim it (IRC §6511), so the oldest refunds are the ones you lose first.
When you need an EA, CPA or attorney instead
If you already have an open IRS notice, a levy or garnishment, an audit, or you need a payment plan negotiated for you, that is representation work. You'll want an enrolled agent, CPA or tax attorney for that part. We can still prepare the missing returns, and the representation piece goes to them.
How we handle late returns
- We're 100% remote and work with clients across the country, from Clifton Park, NY.
- We prepare and file current-year and prior-year individual and small business returns. Each missing year is its own return.
- A prior-year individual return starts at $325 per year, including the federal return and one state. The full list is on our pricing page, and a written quote is honored for 30 days.
- We don't represent clients in IRS collections, audits or appeals, and we don't negotiate payment plans on your behalf.
Shane Panas is a New York State registered tax return preparer and IRS PTIN holder. He is not a CPA or an enrolled agent.
For what the penalties add up to, see How much does it cost to file a late tax return in New York?
Book a free 15-minute fit call and we'll tell you which years you need and what it will cost before you commit to anything.
Frequently asked questions
- Can someone file my back taxes for me online?
- Yes. A paid preparer with a PTIN can prepare and file your past-due returns entirely online. You upload documents through a secure portal, review the returns and sign electronically.
- Do I need a CPA to file late tax returns?
- No. Any paid preparer with a PTIN can prepare late returns. You need an enrolled agent, CPA or tax attorney only if you want someone to represent you in IRS collections, audits or appeals.
- Can I e-file a tax return from three years ago?
- The IRS e-file system takes the current year and the two years before it. Older returns are printed, signed and mailed, and they count the same once the IRS processes them.
- What if I lost my W-2s or 1099s?
- Download a wage and income transcript for each missing year from your IRS Online Account. It lists the W-2s and 1099s that were reported to the IRS, and your preparer can work from it.
General information, not advice for your specific situation.