topic I haven't Filed since 2018 , I have lost most contacts to my former employers. How do I file previous years , and obtain lost W-2s? in After you file

I haven't Filed since 2018 , I have lost most contacts to my former employers. How do I file previous years , and obtain lost W-2s?

jakemil98 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:12:01 GMT

Re: I haven't Filed since 2018 , I have lost most contacts to my former employers. How do I file previous years , and obtain lost W-2s?

Mike9241 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 07:53:48 GMT

any refund for 2018 is lost. if you owe the IRS can come after you forever. Turbotax no longer supports 2018 return preparation. Turbotax has closed online preparation and e-filing for all years other than 2022 so if you use Turbotax you need their desktop app - Windows or MAC - no mobile phones.

Turbotax prior year apps (other sites may offer online preparation)

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

Turbotax system requirements Windows

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/product-system-requirements/minimum-system-requirements-turbotax-windows/L8ZSsGqF1_US_en_US?uid=lca7lb3v

you can get copies of w-2's from the Social Security Adm but there is a fee

https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-02501

the IRS has transcripts for free but no state info if you have a state income tax (only the SSA can provide a full copy of the w-2 if you can't get them from the employer)

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

if you had income from sources other than wages you can get those transcripts from the IRS as well

Re: I haven't Filed since 2018 , I have lost most contacts to my former employers. How do I file previous years , and obtain lost W-2s?

NCperson — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 10:44:30 GMT

@jakemil98 - for 2019, the deadline to obtain any refund owed is July 15, 2023.......

Re: I haven't Filed since 2018 , I have lost most contacts to my former employers. How do I file previous years , and obtain lost W-2s?

xmasbaby0 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:35:39 GMT

Start doing your homework and figure out how to contact those old employers. That is where you need to get those W-2's. There are some other ways---some of which take a long time or which will cost you money.

W-2's come from your employer, and they have until January 31 to issue it. Some employers allow you to import the W-2 through the software, but for security reasons you still need information from the actual W-2 to import it. 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

Other ways to get W-2’s:

Pay Social Security $126 per W-2:

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-answers/irs-procedures/transcript-or-copy-of-form-w-2/transcript-or-copy-of-form-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

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/00/25573

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.

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.

You only have until April 17, 2022 to file a 2019return and still receive a refund. If you file a 2019 return past that deadline, your 2019 refund will not be paid to you—it will be forfeited—the IRS will keep it.

Re: I haven't Filed since 2018 , I have lost most contacts to my former employers. How do I file previous years , and obtain lost W-2s?

xmasbaby0 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:36:56 GMT

And....each tax year is separate. Each tax return must be prepared using the forms for the specific tax year. Do not try to combine them in any way whatsoever. Do not even try to mail them in the same envelope.

Re: I haven't Filed since 2018 , I have lost most contacts to my former employers. How do I file previous years , and obtain lost W-2s?

fanfare — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 16:35:52 GMT

The way back onto the tax-paying bandwagon is to file a correct 2022 tax return.

That's called the Tax Gap.

@jakemil98

Re: I haven't Filed since 2018 , I have lost most contacts to my former employers. How do I file previous years , and obtain lost W-2s?

xmasbaby0 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 16:40:28 GMT

What if I do not file my tax return?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572308-what-happens-if-i-don-t-file-my-taxes

Re: I haven't Filed since 2018 , I have lost most contacts to my former employers. How do I file previous years , and obtain lost W-2s?

fanfare — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 17:01:51 GMT

if you had a W-2 job with withholding you are probably paid up for all those years.

You haven't heard from IRS for five years; they're not very interested in your missing prior returns.

@jakemil98