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Level 1
December 6, 2019
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Is it too late to file 2016 return and apply its overpayment to not yet filed 2017 return?

  • December 6, 2019
  • 3 replies
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Best answer by abctax55

And..if the IRS screws up & sends a check anyway, tell your client not to cash it.  Then send it back to the IRS with an explanation.  It will likely take a bit to get straightened out, but might be worth it if the amount is large and there are underpayment penalties on the 2017 return.

3 replies

abctax55
abctax55Answer
Level 15
December 6, 2019

And..if the IRS screws up & sends a check anyway, tell your client not to cash it.  Then send it back to the IRS with an explanation.  It will likely take a bit to get straightened out, but might be worth it if the amount is large and there are underpayment penalties on the 2017 return.

HumanKind... Be Both
itonewbie
Level 15
December 6, 2019

Technically you could, by law and regulations. As IRMN says, you may, however, run into administrative issues.  You should also take a look at when the payment(s) giving rise to the overpayment was made as that would determine when it would be creditable for the purpose of offsetting the 2017 liability.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Still an AllStar
IRonMaN
Level 15
December 6, 2019

It's worth a try, but you might have to deal with a notice or two along the way before it gets straightened out.

Slava Ukraini!
Level 7
December 6, 2019
Just a gut feeling:  I think it's safer if 2016 and 2017 are filed today, so timely filed 2017 as filed will reflect overpay from 2016