filing 2018 prior year taxes but don't have W-2s

[abigail_conrad]

It is 2020 and I have yet to file my 2018 tax return. I bought the turbo tax premier software and am attempting to complete my return right now however I do not still have my W-2s from 2018 and with the pandemic I won't be able to get them from my employers right now. Can I file a form 4852 with the IRS to get my W-2s from 2018? If not how should I proceed?

[Texas Roger]

You can try getting a transcript of your W-2s online from the IRS at this link: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-return-transcript-types-and-ways-to-order-them

[abigail_conrad]

Thank you so much for your quick reply! I accessed that website and retrieved my 2018 Wage and Income transcript. However that form shows my total income (combined from all my jobs) but shows the w-2 from only one of my jobs. What should I do to get the w-2s from my other jobs? Or is there a way to just enter my total income, and witholdings information (all of that is provided to me by this form) without needing to input all of the individual W-2 information? 

[Texas Roger]

I'm not familiar with those transcripts so I don't know whether that is normal or not. You could wait until later to file your return after the companies you worked for open back up so you can get your W-2s. 

If you are getting a refund, you have 3 years from the original filing deadline for a 2018 tax return to file it for a refund. If you owe, you will continue to incur penalties and interest if you have not made an estimated tax payment for 2018.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

[abigail_conrad]

Not a problem! If my previous employers refuse to provide me 2018 W-2s because they can't find them or just don't get back to me, do I have any recourse? 

[Texas Roger]

You can contact the IRS to get W-2 details after they start taking calls again or you can use form 4852: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4852

[abigail_conrad]

Thank you so much for your help!