where can i get old tax info, how many years do you have to file?

Answer 1

You can obtain prior year wage and income statements (w-2s, 1099's etc) free of charge from the IRS by either calling them or visiting your local IRS office. Keep in mind that the W&I statements that the IRS provides will only provide information related to filing your federal returns. It won't have state or local withholding information. If you need those then you can contact the Social Security Administration but keep in mind that they will charge you.

If filing a federal return to claim a refund, then you have three years from the original due date of the return to claim it. So the earliest refund you can claim now is 2003, which was due in April of 2004. You will have until April 15th of 2007 to file it.

If it is a balance due return then the IRS can demand that you file it even if it was due before 2004. At some point, if they have contacted you many times about it, they may even file it for you and when they do that they do not take into account all the deductions or credits you may be eligible for.

Answer 2

Your tax preparer only is required to hold your info for 2-3 years. You are responsible for holding them for 7 years according the IRS but it is good to hold onto the info for life because the IRS can come back on you 20 years later if they choose to. Contact the IRS for info that you are missing and maybe you can get it from them. They can be difficult to deal with.
If your receiving money and not owing then you need to file before Oct. 15th. If you owe it is April 15th, unless you file an extension.
The IRS will only retro back 3 years worth of refunds.
-Boyfriend has own a tax firm for 7 years.-