Prior year returns (2012 tax year and forward) may be electronically filed by those using the TaxACT Preparer program (both individual 1040 returns and business (1065, 1120 and 1120s returns).  Those using the TaxACT Business Consumer (1065, 1120 and 1120s returns) program may electronically file returns for only the prior year of 2013 this year, however next year it will cover a 2 year prior period just as the preparer program does.  While the IRS now allows year-round electronic filing with the new MeF system, they do shut down for a short period for maintenance each year from later in November to sometime around the end of January.

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.