Haven't filed taxes in 2 years. What should I do?

Question

Hey Yahoo! Here is my situation: I am 23 years old and have been living on my own for just a couple of months now. Whether out of immaturity or laziness I haven't filed my taxes in the past 2 years. The thing is that I doubt I owe the government and money so I'm not worried about that. I just worked a couple of part time jobs while I still lived at home so I'd be surprised if I made over 4k a year for the past two years.

My problem is that I want to go back to school in January and I wish to apply for financial aid. Unfortunately, I need my financial information in order to do so. I honestly have never done taxes on my own so I don't even know where to begin (the last time I had filed my taxes my father did so for me but I am no longer in speaking terms with him). I'm guessing I need my W2 forms to start but I don't have those anymore. Does anybody have advice for somebody new to filing taxes?

Answer 1

Well, I would contact the places you worked to see if they could resend the W2 forms and then file online at H&R Block...It's free and really easy.
That's where I did it my first time.

www.hrblock.com

Answer 2

When a taxpayer fails to file a return, the IRS runs the numbers using the data that they have available. If it appears that they don't owe any tax, the matter drops. While not filing is a technical violation of the law, the IRS is in no hurry to send out unclaimed refunds. There are no fines for failure to file unless the taxpayer owes. Of course, any refund is forfeit if you don't file so you could call that a "fine" if you wanted to. BTW, just because you are not receiving any of his refunds does not mean that he's not filing. If he owes when he files, there's nothing to be offset against his unpaid child support. Many deadbeats quickly figure out how to avoid offsets of refunds merely by setting up their withholding so that they never get a refund but owe a few hundred dollars at filing time. As long as it's less than $1,000 and they pay by the deadline, there are no penalties involved.

Answer 3

Get them filed this week while you are thinking of it. You will most likely be getting a refund. You will lose that money if yo uput it off many more years. Your former employers will provide the W2 forms. You can either have the taxes done at a firm, or gather the forms at the federal and state websites. Your taxes will be very simple to do. Don't pay too much to get them prepared. There is a website www.flylady.net that has something called a control jouranl you can make to stop procrastinating this kind of important stuff. You aren't bad that you did it, you're only human, but the control jouranl can help keep you on track in your busy life. Give it a try..it's free! You have my sincere best wishes.

Answer 4

I was there just a few years ago myself. First thing, relax you're going to be okay and you're going to get your financial aid. Okay do the following:

1) Contact your old gig (if you cant remember them all just remember the primary ones, the IRS will correct if auditted.) If you dont have their number, just go to www.google.co or www.superpages.com or ww.41.com and get their conatct information. Have them mail your W-2s. Tell the you never received them, this will make them hurry faster and not charge you anything. or house fire...whatever you feel like saying.

2) Next, go online again to www.google.com or www.irs.gov and type in teh yeas you are filing for (i.e.2005 and 2006) 1040ez filing form.

3) Complete these forms and include your proper w-2s for each correcponding years and make sure you have the correct mailing address from either above-mentioned websites.

4) They will contact you via mail and you can also contact the bia telephone [phone]) and stay posted/

5) Once your returns come back, if you owe anything, pay. if you dont because most likely you will actually be receiving monies minus the penalty for filing late, then accept your return.

6)Go online to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to complete your finanical FAFSA application. this is teh first step in applying for financial aid. Stary doing all of this immediately because fall semester will begin in January. And this will at least be a 2-3 month process.

P.S. from her eon out, file annually. it is illegal to not file. rarely enforced but dont rick it, besides you'll most likely be receiving money anyhow.

Answer 5

If you didn't make over $6K they OWE YOU MONEY but you have to claim it by filing. After 3 years they will no longer refund.

If you made under $6K you need only get a 1040EZ for the years in question (you can find it at the IRS web site), get copies of your W2s, list how much you made, how much they witheld if you mader under $6K and NO ONE TOOK YOU OFF THEIR TAXES (like PArents) you are entitled to all witholding tax back for both years.

Answer 6

1. Get copies of your W-2s from your employers.

2. Get the forms and instructions from the IRS website.

3. File 'em. It's not difficult. Might as well get smart on it now; you'll be doing it for another 70 years or so.

Answer 7

First of all, congrats on being so honest. Second of all, be glad that you've never been in trouble for not filing your taxes. If you work, you have to report your taxes! Third...go to H&R Block. They can help you, and it won't cost you that much. However, there can be a penalty for not reporting. I'm not completely sure about that, but there could be.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Do you know what income tax goes to? The interest on the national dept.

Answer 9

Go to H&RBlock, they can ell you how to ge what you need, and take care of it for you, good luck

Answer 10

Please go to IRS office in your city and they will provide advice. You an also search irs.gov