---
title: Create and File Prior Year Tax Returns
description: "You can create and file tax returns for the current and two prior tax years with TaxAct. Go to [Access Current or Prior Year Return](https://support.taxact.com/support/24048/access-current-or-prior-year-return) for instructions to access and/or view previously e-filed returns. ## Open/Create If you were a prior-year…"
url: "https://support.taxact.com/support/820/create-and-file-prior-year-tax-returns"
updated: "2026-10-06"
category: "Individuals / E-Filing & Submitting / Return E-Filing"
tags:
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---

# Create and File Prior Year Tax Returns

You can create and file tax returns for the current and two prior tax years with TaxAct. Go to [Access Current or Prior Year Return](https://support.taxact.com/support/24048/access-current-or-prior-year-return) for instructions to access and/or view previously e-filed returns.

## Open/Create

If you were a prior-year TaxAct Online user, but you did not finish your prior-year return (or if you need to start a new return for a previous tax year), you can still prepare and print your return using our TaxAct Online service. When you are ready to proceed, follow these steps:

### Open

1. [Sign in to your TaxAct account](https://www.taxact.com/auth/).
2. Scroll down to the **My Returns & Details** section.
3. Click 20YY Returns to expand the dropdown list and select the applicable tax year.
4. Click **Open Return** to open an existing return.

### Create

1. [Sign in to your TaxAct account](https://www.taxact.com/auth/).
2. Scroll down to the section which reads "**Need to file taxes for a previous year?"** and expand the section.
3. Click **File Prior Years Taxes**.
4. You will be taken to a screen with options for the previous two years.

## Filing

Most individuals who wish to file their own prior-year return [will need to print and mail it](https://support.taxact.com/support/21586/how-to-mail-a-paper-return-paper-file). If you have been issued an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) from the IRS, however, you can e-file a prior-return. See [IRS Identity Protection PIN – Identity Theft (IP PIN)](https://support.taxact.com/support/1664/irs-identity-protection-pin-identity-theft-ip-pin) for details. 

Generally, the IRS allows electronic filing year-round, except for an annual maintenance period. See the FAQ [IRS Modernized e-File System Shutdown Period](https://support.taxact.com/support/24930/irs-modernized-e-file-system-shutdown-period) for details.

Each year the TaxAct program will allow electronic submissions for prior year returns as soon as the Final version of the software is released in January; however, the returns will not actually be transmitted to the IRS until they are ready to start processing them.

 

## Related Links

- [Access Current or Prior Year Return](https://support.taxact.com/support/24048/access-current-or-prior-year-return)
- [Request a Copy of Your Return](https://support.taxact.com/support/301/request-a-copy-of-your-return)
- [Printing Your Return and Individual Forms](https://support.taxact.com/support/635/printing-your-return-and-individual-forms-taxact-online)