My boyfriend wants to do his taxes he hasn’t done them since 2016, does he need to go to an agent since he doesn’t have all his W2 or can he do them with the W2 he has on hand?

[macuser_22]

He must have the W-2 for each tax year.

You are required to keep them for at least 3 years in case the IRS asks for them.

If you need a copy of your W-2 then ask your employer.

You can get a free "Wage and Income" transcript form the IRS but that is is not a copy of the W-2 and contains no state information.

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

You can get an exact copy of the W-2 from the Social Security Administration for $81 per copy.
https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-02501

[BillM223]

In addition, please note that you are not able to get a transcript (actually, one for each year) at the present moment by mail because the IRS offices doing that are shut down. So if he cannot get the transcript online (which will probably require knowledge of things from his credit report to establish his identity), he may need to get a copy of his credit report from the FTC - see this FTC webpage - in order to be able the questions on the transcript page.

[xmasbaby0]

Your BF has a problem.  He needs to get all of his W-2's gathered up before he files tax returns or else he will just have a mess to amend and amended returns take months.

If he does not get it together to file a 2016 return by July 15, 2020 any refund he could receive will be forfeited.  If he owes, he still has to pay--forever.

Each tax year must be prepared and filed separately using the right tax return forms for the specific tax year and the software for that year.  The income from two or more years cannot be combined on the same tax return.  And...when you prepare a tax return ALL of the income from that tax year must be on it--not just some of it.

You do not say what W-2 he now has "on hand"--look and see what year is on it--they always have a year at the top. If the one he has is for 2019, he can use it on a 2019 return--and he can use the online software for that.  Online is only for 2019--no other year.

Did he have more than one employer during the past several years?  If so, he will have to do the legwork, or the phone calls, or the emails or whatever it takes to get all of his W-2's in order to file returns.

You have three years from the filing deadline to receive a tax refund, so the one that is most urgent is 2016.  He has more time for the other ones--if he is getting refunds.  If he owes tax due, his interest and penalties have been adding up for quite awhile.

Ways to get W-2's:

W-2's come from your employer.  Contact the employer

You might need to phone, email and/or snail mail an old employer to make sure they know where to send your W-2.

Pay Social Security $86 per W-2:

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

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

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

Did he work as an independent contractor at any time?  Did he get a 1099Misc for any self-employment work?  If so, he should find his records of what he earned or get copies of the 1099Misc from the people/businesses who paid him.

Each tax year has to be filed separately using the forms for the specific tax year.  They cannot be combined in any way--do not even put them in the same envelope when you mail them.  Software for past years is available back to 2016.  Any earlier years can only be prepared on paper forms by hand--and those refunds have been forfeited now.

The current online program can only be used for a 2019 return--no other year.  And if you did not file a 2018 return you will have trouble e-filing 2019.  When it asks for your 2018 AGI try using zero.  If zero does not work then you have to print, sign and mail 2019.

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

It is good that he wants to get on top of this and sort it out before it gets worse.  He may be able to prepare his returns himself if he can get his stuff together.  If it is really complicated, then he might want help from a paid tax pro.  Or if it looks like he is going to owe a lot, a tax pro may be able to help negotiate with the IRS.