Do taxes have to be filed in chronological order, or could one year be out of order?

Question

Do taxes have to be filed in chronological order, or could one year be out of order?

Answer 1

Unless there is something claimed on one year that is carried forward to the next, it doesn't matter what order they are filed.

Answer 2

Generally, it's best to file in order--there are a few tax items that carry forward and it's nice file just once.

However, if I had someone who hadn't filed for 6 years and it looked like they were eligible for refunds, I'd start with the earliest "open" year due to the refund statute.  Then I'd work on filling in the gaps to the current year, then work from the oldest ones up.

The refund statute generally means that you can't get your refund if it's 3 years past the due date.  While there are quite a few exceptions (like combat zone and Katrina), it's so much easier to file within the obvious 4/15 date range then have to write letters explaining how the return *was* within statute.

Answer 3

Huh? In next Jan. 09, you should be filling out tax forms for 08. You can't skip a year !

Answer 4

usually best to file in chronological order

and best to file on time, before due date

but you can file out of order,

however if you anticipate a refund for filing your 07 taxes now, but haven't filed your 06 taxes at all yet, you may not get your refund until 06 is filed, particularly if your withholding is inadequate