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What to do after losing tax forms for multiple years

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What to do after losing tax forms for multiple years

What tax years?    It is too late to get a refund for any tax year earlier than 2020; any refunds for 2019 or earlier have been forfeited.  But if you owe tax due for any past year there is no limit on how long you owe it----the IRS wants to be paid.

 

What if I do not file my tax return?

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

 

 

As for getting your tax documents like W-2's or 1099's or 1098's,  etc.   you have to get them from employers, clients who issued them or from the financial institutions that issued them.

 

t. Some employers have payroll sites that will have your W-2. 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:

 

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

 

Pay Social Security $126 per W-2:

 

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

 

 

 There are over a dozen kinds of 1099's.  A 1099NEC is typically issued by an individual or business for whom you performed work as an independent contractor, so seek a copy from them if you did not save yours.  Many of the other types of 1099's are issued by banks, brokerages and other financial institutions from which you can seek copies.

 

 

 

 

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 2020.  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 2023 return--no other year. 

 

It might be better for you to seek local paid tax help in a situation when you are several years behind in filing your tax returns.  

 

 

To file a return for a prior tax year

 If you need to prepare a return for 2020, 2021, or 2022  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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
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