If I haven't paid my taxes in 3 years, and don't have the papers to do it, can I still get it done?

Question

I haven't paid my taxes in 3 years. I don't have most of my W2's anymore. Can I still get my taxes done? Can the preparer( H&R Block, ect...) look the W2's up? What about penalties and fees? I want to file, but don't want to get in trouble. What should I do?

Answer 1

You'll have to get the W2's, etc - you can get those by contacting your employer(s) from those years. If you had interest or other income, you'll need to get those too.

If you owed money and didn't file, there will be penalties and interest. If the amount you owe is small, they probably won't amount to a lot. Depending on how much you made in those years, it's possible you were not required to file, or didn't owe and might even have refunds coming. If there's any chance of that, file quickly, since you can only get refunds for 3 years after the tax should have been filed.

If you wait for the IRS to catch up to you, penalties will be worse than if you file before they contact you.

Answer 2

Dont want to get into any trouble, its time to face the music.
I was thinking of HR Block as well, but the thing is they can't get records of past years unless you had done your taxes through them before.
Even if you did, you have to go back to the exact store that you got it done - because the stores 'aren't connected'.
I needed my W2 for college, and I called HRBlock, and that is what they told me. "You are not in my log" Well I never did it with you. "Oh well we're not connected. You have to go back to the store you did it with."
So if you really really need those past years and your store is out in Alaska or something good luck. Otherwise they just want to know about the past year. And when you send it in the corporate America will take out something for those years you didn't exist. Naught boy(slap on the wrists).

Answer 3

we need more info to make a decision here... okay your taxes weren't paid, I am assuming this is fed income tax you are referring to. First you should see if it even applies to you. If you were a student or making very little money or claimed by your parents, you may be exempt, meaning not liable to pay. If this is not the case, I would just update your current w-4 to reflect a higher rate, the highest is single 0. I wouldn't request to make payments, as the IRS usally onlly makes these findings based on audits if people haven't paid.

Answer 4

Your employer(s) should be able to supply you with replacement W-2s. Other forms may be available from whoever supplies them originally. The IRS should have copies of any W-2s, 1099s, etc. that were filed with them. If you must ask them for records, I recommend going though a tax attorney. There is no point attracting the IRSs attention before you have the returns without representation.

Answer 5

Call your Town Hall. I'm sure they can help you get out of this rut!