How to File a Missed Tax Return - Doherty & Associates

Missed filing your taxes? Don’t worry—Doherty & Associates understands that life gets busy and paperwork can easily slip through the cracks. Whether you missed the tax deadline due to a hectic schedule, misplaced documents, or uncertainty about your filing requirements, it’s important to know that you still have options. The sooner you file a past-due tax return, the better chance you have of minimizing penalties, avoiding additional interest, and staying in good standing with the IRS.

Many taxpayers don’t realize that filing late is still far better than not filing at all—even if you can’t pay the full amount right away. In this step-by-step guide, Doherty & Associates will share their proven process for catching up on missed tax returns, replacing lost forms, calculating past-year taxes, and negotiating payment plans if needed. By taking action now, you can resolve your missed tax filing issues and move forward with confidence. Hire reliable business tax consultants.

Organize and Clean Up Your Business Books

If you’re a small business owner, contractor, or freelancer, chances are your missed tax return challenge is tied to messy or incomplete bookkeeping. Before you can accurately file, your books need to be up‑to‑date. Filing with disorganized or inaccurate records can overstate your taxable income, miss legitimate deductions, or even trigger an IRS review.

Doherty & Associates specializes in helping businesses:

Reconcile prior‑year bank and credit card accounts
Verify income entries match 1099 and client records
Categorize expenses correctly for maximum tax benefits
Identify missing receipts and recreate documentation where possible
Correct errors from prior bookkeeping work, including duplicate or missed transactions

For many business owners, book cleanup also reveals missed deductions like mileage, office expenses, or home office credits—potentially reducing what you owe. Having accurate books makes your tax prep smoother, ensures compliance, and gives you a realistic financial snapshot for making business decisions.

If your books are months (or years) behind, Doherty & Associates can provide catch‑up bookkeeping services alongside your past‑due tax return preparation, so both your tax and accounting records are brought current at the same time.

Gather Your Documents

Start by collecting all necessary paperwork: W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms for freelance work, and documents for investment or property income.

Missing documents? Doherty & Associates recommends:

Requesting copies from your employer or the IRS.
Filing Form 4506-T to get transcripts from the IRS for free.
Using the IRS Get Transcript tool online for quicker access.

If you need expert help tracking down missing documents or understanding what’s required, Doherty & Associates can assist with IRS communication and document retrieval.

Determine Which Years You Need to File

The first step in tackling missed returns is to identify exactly which tax years are outstanding. Many people are surprised to discover they’ve missed more than one year, especially if they’ve experienced major life changes, moved frequently, or switched jobs. The IRS generally requires you to file returns for the past six years to be considered in good standing, but in certain cases—especially if you are due refunds or want to completely clear your record—it’s smart to file for all missed years. Filing beyond the required six years can also protect you in the event of an IRS audit for older periods.

Doherty & Associates offers IRS account transcript reviews, which can quickly reveal exactly which years the IRS shows as unfiled. Sometimes the IRS may have filed a Substitute for Return (SFR) on your behalf using reported income data—often resulting in higher tax liabilities because no deductions or credits are included.

If this is the case, Doherty & Associates can help you prepare an accurate return to replace the SFR, reducing potential tax owed. By identifying and addressing all outstanding years at once, you avoid the stress of ongoing IRS notices and can create a clear plan to move forward confidently.

Use the Correct Forms

Tax forms and rules change year to year. Use the right form for each tax year:

Form 1040: Main form for most individuals.
Form 1040A/1040EZ: Simplified forms (used before 2018).

Find prior-year forms on the IRS website, or consult Doherty & Associates for correct form selection and completion.

Calculate Your Taxes

Once you gather documents and forms, calculate your taxes for each missed year. If you have multiple years or complex situations, engaging a tax professional like Doherty & Associates is a smart move—they can spot missed deductions, apply current and historical tax laws correctly, and minimize errors.

File Your Return

For overdue returns, mail paper forms directly to the IRS. E-filing hasn’t been available for past years. Doherty & Associates can prepare, review, and file your returns, ensuring accurate calculations and timely submission.

Mail the completed forms to the IRS address in the instructions.
Include a check or money order if you owe taxes, but don’t staple it to your return.

Deal with Any Taxes Owed

Pay what you can when filing. Penalties and interest apply to unpaid tax, so act quickly.

Even if you can’t pay in full:

IRS offers payment options: Short-term plans, long-term installment agreements, and Offers in Compromise.
Doherty & Associates specializes in setting up IRS-approved payment plans and negotiating with the IRS on your behalf.

What About Refunds?

There’s no penalty for filing late if you’re due a refund—but you must file within three years of the original deadline to claim it. Doherty & Associates can help ensure you don’t miss out on any money owed to you.

Dealing with Penalties

The IRS charges two main penalties for late filing: failure-to-file and failure-to-pay. File promptly, even if you can’t pay right away. Doherty & Associates can request penalty abatement, reasonable cause relief, or first-time penalty forgiveness on your behalf, if you qualify.

Consider Professional Help

If you have multiple years of unfiled returns or complex tax issues, working with a trusted firm like Doherty & Associates is your best strategy.

Their team of CPAs, EAs, and tax experts:

Helps ensure accuracy and compliance
Represents you before the IRS
Finds savings through overlooked credits or deductions
Negotiates payment plans and penalty reductions

Prevent Future Issues

Stay on top of taxes going forward:

Set reminders for deadlines.
Keep documents organized.
Use tax preparation software.
Ask Doherty & Associates about their year-round tax planning and reminder services.

Extensions are available with Form 4868, but remember—extensions to file are not extensions to pay!

Conclusion

Do you need virtual accounting services? Filing a missed tax return is manageable, especially with professional guidance. Doherty & Associates is here to support you at every step, from gathering documents to IRS negotiations. Reach out if you feel overwhelmed or want to maximize your peace of mind—it’s always better to file late than never. Call us today!