W-2's come from your employers. You might have some trouble getting hold of W-2's from a few years ago since you have fallen behind in filing your tax returns. But the first thing to try is to contact the employers to see if you can get copies from them.
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 $90 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
You will not receive refunds for 2016 or 2017 even if the tax return form shows a refund. You have missed the deadline to receive a refund for those years. If you owe tax you still have to pay. It is not yet too late to get a tax refund for 2018, 2019 or 2020.
TurboTax software is no longer available for 2016. It is possible to get the paper forms to prepare by hand if your return is simple.
(if you want to prepare on paper for free: )
PRIOR YEAR FORMS FROM IRS
2016
Form 1040 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2016.pdf
Form 1040 Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2016.pdf
Form 1040A https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040a.pdf
Form 1040AInstructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040a--2016.pdf
Form1040EZ https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040ez--2015.pdf
Form1040EZ Instructions https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040ez.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-paper-tax-returns-with-or-without-a-payment
Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.
PAST YEAR RETURNS
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 2017. 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 2020 return--no other year. And if you did not file a 2019 return you will have trouble e-filing 2020. When it asks for your 2019 AGI try using zero. If zero does not work then you have to print, sign and mail 2020.
Online preparation and e-filing for 2017, 2018 and 2019 is permanently closed.
To file a return for a prior tax year
If you need to prepare a return for 2017, 2018, or 2019 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.
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.
Refunds for tax years 2016 or earlier have been forfeited and will not be paid to you even if shown on the tax return form. But if you owe tax due, you will still have to pay, and you will be billed later for the interest and penalties owed.
Since you are filing a late 2019 return, the IRS will not have a 2019 AGI in the system for you. When the 2020 software asks for your 2019 AGI so that you can e-file 2020, use “zero.” If you cannot e-file by using zero then you will have to print, sign and mail your 2020 return.
Since you are so far behind in filing tax returns it would really be a good idea to seek professional tax help locally.
**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.**
