[[I'm in the process of helping my generation-x son fill out his 1040 form, the problem is he's
neglected to file his taxes for the last three years. Can anyone tell me if he has to file three seperate
1040 forms, one for each year, or is there a better way?]]

Since I don't know what your boy's income might be, you may first want to check and make sure that he is REQUIRED to file. If you determine that he is, then you'll be required to file a 1040 for each year that he did not file.

If you find that he owes tax, you'll need to file for every year that a return was not previously filed. But if you find that he was to receive a refund, don't go back any farther than 1994. Why? Because anything before tax year 1994 is already out of the statute of limitations. And any claim for refund that you make will be denied.

And, if he has a refund for 1994, you need to get that return in ASAP...certainly before 4-15-98...when THAT statute will expire and any claim for refund will be denied.

TMF Taxes
Roy