BackYears is an independent referral service. We are not a CPA firm, tax preparer, or law firm, and we are not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. Tax services are provided by independent licensed professionals.
How much does a catch-up cost?
Short answer: It depends on the firm and on your situation. With a flat-price catch-up, a tax pro quotes one price before starting, either per year or for all your missing years. The price usually moves with the number of years, how many income sources you had, how complete your records are, any IRS letters, and whether state returns are needed. BackYears is free for you, and you pay the tax pro directly.
Written by the BackYears editorial team. Published . Last reviewed .
Not yet reviewed by a tax professional.
The honest answer is that it depends on the firm and on your situation. What we can do is explain how flat pricing works in general, what tends to change the price, and how to compare offers.
This is general information, not tax or financial advice. BackYears doesn't set anyone's prices.
What "flat price" means
With a flat-price catch-up, a tax pro quotes one price for the agreed work, often per year or for all your missing years together, before they start. You know the cost up front instead of paying by the hour. Each of our partner firms sets and publishes its own price. When we show it, we show their words, with their name next to it.
What can change the price
- How many years you need to file
- How many income sources you had (one W-2 is simpler than many 1099s)
- How complete your records are, and how much needs rebuilding
- Whether you have IRS or state letters that need a response
- Whether state returns are needed as well as federal ones
Questions worth asking any tax pro
- What exactly is included in the price, and what isn't?
- Is the price per year or for all years?
- Are state returns included?
- What happens if they find another year that needs filing?
- Who will do the work, and what credential do they hold?
The IRS has a page on choosing a tax professional(IRS.gov), opens in a new tab with more questions to ask, including how to check a preparer's credentials.
Free options
You may qualify for free help. The IRS lists free tax return preparation programs(IRS.gov), opens in a new tab for people who qualify. You don't need us to use them.
How BackYears fits in
BackYears is free for you. If you choose to be introduced, we connect you with a vetted CPA, Enrolled Agent or tax attorney, and you pay them directly at the price they set.
Sources
Questions people ask
Does BackYears charge me anything?
No. BackYears is free for you. If you hire a tax pro we introduce you to, you pay them directly, at the price they set and publish.
Why don't you list typical prices?
Prices vary by firm and by situation, and we don't want to guess. On our partners page, each firm's price note is shown in their own words, with their name next to it.
Want help catching up?
Answer a few questions (no SSN). If you say yes, we'll introduce you to a vetted tax pro who offers a flat price. Free, no obligation.
Start the questionsRelated
- I haven't filed taxes in 3 years: what now?
A calm, plain-English look at what to do when you haven't filed for a few years, with links to the IRS's own pages.
- Records you'll need as a freelancer
A plain checklist of the records a tax pro usually asks for when you're catching up on unfiled years, and what to do if some are missing.
Everything on this site is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a licensed tax professional.