I need 2018 and 2019 w-2 forms I've been incarcerated August 2018 through June 2019 and January 2020 through May 2022

[xmasbaby0]

 W-2's come from employers.  You might need to phone, drop in, email and/or snail mail an old employer to make sure they know where to send your W-2.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2561916-how-can-i-get-a-copy-of-my-w-2

You can get a wage and income transcript from the IRS:  It will not show the actual W-2, 1099’s, etc, but will show the income information the IRS received.  It will not, however, show your state information. It will only show the federal information.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

To get a copy of a W-2 from Social Security https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-02501

https://www.irs.gov/help-resources/tools-faqs/faqs-for-individuals/frequently-asked-tax-questions-an...

[xmasbaby0]

You mentioned 2018.   It is too late to file a 2018 tax return to get a refund.  The refund has been forfeited.  If you owe tax due the IRS still wants to be paid.    It is not too late to get a refund for a 2019 tax return but you have to file it before April 18, or it will be too late for that one, too.   

So you might want to seek the 2019 W-2 first so that you can file that return.   Sounds like you might have at least a partial year of employment for which to file for 2019.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2019 and 2020 and 2021 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

 If you need to prepare a return for 2019, 2020 or 2021 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/0... 

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses.  Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

To use paper forms for 2019 to prepare by hand

2019

2019 Instructions

 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2019.pdf

1040  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2019.pdf

1040SR  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s--2019.pdf

2019 Schedules 1-3

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2019.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2019.pdf

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2019.pdf

[CatinaT1]

You will need to request a Wage and Income transcript from the IRS. I have included information on requesting a transcript below. 

Since you are wanting w2s from 2018, I want to mention that the deadline to file a 2018 return to claim a refund was April 18, 2022. You may need to file for other reasons, but just so you know you will not receive any refund you were due from a 2018 return. You will want to file your 2019 return by the filing deadline this year to receive any refund due in 2019.

You can request transcripts by mail, phone, or online and can receive transcripts by mail or online. 

The fastest way to get a transcript is to use Get Transcript Online on the IRS website. You'll need to establish an online account to use this. Then you can view, print, or download the transcripts.   

If you don't have online access you can request a transcript by mail. You'll need to submit Form 4506-T to the IRS address in the instructions or fax the form to the number in the instructions.

Alternatively, you can call the IRS automated phone transcript service at 800.908.9946.  

Note - if you are requesting a Transcript by mail, Transcripts will not be forwarded from an old address. To get them mailed to a current address you would need to submit Form 8822, Change of Address, to the IRS before requesting a transcript by mail. A change of address request generally takes 4 to 6 weeks to process.