W-2's come from employers. There is not a federal or national website that provides W-2’s
Make the effort it will take to get your W-2's from past employers. That may entail calling them, emailing, texting, writing them a letter and snail mailing it or even dropping in on them --- to ask for copies of your W-2's.
Another thing you can do is get wage and income transcripts from the IRS. Those will show the amounts that were reported to the IRS by your past employers. But they will only show the information you can use to prepare a federal tax return. They do not show you information that will help you prepare your state returns if you live in a state with a state income tax.
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript (Make sure you request a WAGE & INCOME transcript)
Or....and this is onerous---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-an...
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2561916-how-can-i-get-a-copy-of-my-w-2
Did you work as an independent contractor at any time? Or did you receive any income that was reported on any of the almost two dozen kinds of 1099's?
There are many 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.
When you get your income information gathered up, you can then work on preparing the past tax returns. You might want to seek local paid tax help if you are way behind.
If you want to use TurboTax:
TurboTax has software for 2020 onward. Software is no longer available from TurboTax for earlier years, nor would it be supported even if you find it on eBay, etc. Updates are not available. It is also too late to receive a tax refund for a tax year earlier than 2020---those refunds have been forfeited. BUT if you owe tax due you still have to pay with penalties and interest. There might be other software providers that have software for those years, but you will not receive refunds for the returns even if the forms show a refund.
You cannot change the tax year. The current online program is for 2023 only. Only a 2023 return can be prepared online and only a 2023 return can be e-filed.
Online preparation and e-filing for 2020, 2021, and 2022 is permanently closed.
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.
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.
What if I do not file my tax return?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2572308-what-happens-if-i-don-t-file-my-taxes
**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.**
