IRS online account required to file taxes ?

[markwebb 5]

I have never filed taxes in the US as I have been living in UK for past 18 years.  I am preparing my tax forms for the last 3 years for i-864 .

1. I want to know when I mail these forms then do I need to have an IRS account to see the acknowledgement of tax filling or the acknowledgment comes in mail ( US address )
2. Is back filling my taxes as easy as completing the 2017 and 2018 1040 forms and posting that to IRS or I need to include a letter explaining why I am backfilling the taxes
3. How do I get my tax transcripts once filling is complete coz I am currently unable to create an IRS account as I don't have a US credit cards/ bank account

 

 

[jan22 3,056]

For # 1, an IRS online account us nIt required to file taxes.  However, you will not receive an acknowledgement that the forms have been filed in the mail (unless there is some error in the filing).   

 

#2, no explanation is needed.  If you owe taxes, an explanation will generally not relieve you from paying any penalties.  If you don't owe taxes, the explanation really doesn't matter.  

 

 For question #3 --- why aren't you able to complete the form by checking the final option (i.e., I don't have a current credit card...)?  IRS will be able to verify that the statement is true for your (and, therfore, confirm your identity) through a credit check, which is all they are trying to do.

 

However, assuming you are doing this because you are filing/have filed an immigrant visa petition for someone, how are you planning to show you are domiciled in the US?

Edited January 19, 2020 by jan22

[markwebb 5]

@jan22 if I select the last option it says IRS cannot validate your identity. so not letting me create an account. Not sure why

[jan22 3,056]

Is the problem that you never had any of those things, not just that you don't have any of them currently?  If you've never had any of them, there's no credit record for you in the US, so they won't be able to verify it is you.  Have you checked the IRS information on the US Embassy website:

https://uk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/internal-revenue-service-u-s-taxes/ ?  It gives some contact options where you might be able to get some help.

[markwebb 5]

thanks .. i never held any of those accounts . So I guess we know why ..