I need to call the IRS to get copies of the documents I need to file my '04, '05, and '06 taxes, any advice?

Question

I have failed to file federal and state taxes for 2004, 2005, and 2006. I have spoken to a taxation lawyer who has said that for all the records that have been lost for those years, I can call the IRS to get copies and then move on to completing the filing for those previous years.

Is there anything informaton/doumentation I should have on hand before contacting the IRS? Is there anything I should prepare myself for?

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Answer 1

PAYDAY is giving you bad advice, and it'll get you into trouble or else will cause you to miss getting some money that you have coming.

They'll ask some questions to verify that you are who you say you are, and then send you the info that was filed with them.

If you are that far behind in filing and they haven't already contacted you, it's very possible that you have refunds coming for at least some of those years. If you do, you'll still get them.

Good luck.

Answer 2

You would be better off approaching the various financial instututons and jobs you have been at before you request from the IRS, unless you are already being audited. You do not want them to know you have not filed if they already have not contacted you. The can provide "Taxpayer Transcripts" upon request, which includes all of the W-2's, 1099, 1098;s, etc that was provided to the IRS. Not all items may have been reported though.

Answer 3

Judy is correct, though if you have to file returns for your state you will need to request transcripts from them also, the Federal transcripts will not have any State withholding information on them

Answer 4

Let sleeping dogs lie. Are you sure you want to alert the IRS that you didn't file taxes. They are busy and my guess is you owe petty amounts that they aren't going to bother with you, but if you start the paper work, seriously think about not doing it.