You can get the w-2's. contact the Social Security Admin. they have complete copies going farther back than 2014. if the IRS is holding you 2019 refund it's because it thinks you owe for certain prior years. you won't get it until you clear all past due amounts. you can go to the IRS website and review your a/c for prior years
https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account
did you get a notice you owe for prior years because the refunds for most taxpayers that filed after the pandemic hit saw long delays in getting them? some say they filed in late January and are still waiting.
you do have the option of calling the IRS
800-829-1040
First choose your language.
Then 2
Then 1
Then 3
Then 2
You should then be transferred to an agent, but there is likely to be a long wait.
" what would happen if I didn't file them." You are seeing a result of not filing your tax returns--you are not getting your 2019 refund, for starters... This might also be affecting your ability to receive a stimulus check if they do not have a 2018 or 2019 return to look at to issue the stimulus check to you.
What if I do not file my tax return?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572308-what-happens-if-i-don-t-file-my-taxes
You are way too late to get a 2014 refund, but if you owe tax due they IRS still wants you to pay. You are not too late to get a 2017 refund. Again--if you owe, the IRS wants you to pay--with penalties and interest now.
You are supposed to save your own W-2's--but since you did not do that, you can make the effort required to obtain them. Call, mail, email, drop in--whatever it takes to contact an old employer to get them. W-2-s come from your employers.
Or--other ways to get W-2's or income information:
Pay Social Security $86 per 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
Software is no longer available to prepare a 2014 return, but you can prepare it on paper to mail in.
2014
Form 1040 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2014.pdf
Form 1040Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2014.pdf
Form1040A https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040a--2014.pdf
Form 1040A https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040a--2014.pdf
Form1040EZhttps://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040ez--2014.pdf
Form1040EZ Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040ez--2014.pdf
For 2017:
Online preparation and e-filing for 2016, 2017 and 2018 is permanently closed.
To file a return for a prior tax year
If you need to prepare a return for 2016, 2017, or 2018 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.
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.
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.
If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline. If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900990-how-do-i-file-a-prior-year-tax-return