How to Find Out What Years You Didn’t File Taxes

Filing taxes is an obligation for individuals and businesses to comply with federal regulations. Overlooking or forgetting to file certain years can occur due to life changes or oversight. Identifying unfiled years is crucial to avoid penalties and interest charges from the IRS. Knowing how to determine which tax years you missed can help you efficiently address your tax history.

Obtaining Tax Return Transcripts

Obtaining tax return transcripts from the IRS is a key step in identifying missed tax years. These transcripts provide a record of your filings, including the years filed and details of each return. The Tax Return Transcript is particularly useful, as it includes most line items from your original tax return and any accompanying forms or schedules.

You can access these transcripts online via the IRS’s Get Transcript tool, which allows for immediate viewing and downloading. Alternatively, they can be requested by mail, which takes five to ten days. The IRS provides transcripts for the current tax year and the previous three years. For older records, you may need to contact the IRS directly.

Checking Employer Wage Data

Employer wage data can help identify unfiled tax years. Employers report employee earnings to the IRS through forms like the W-2, which detail wages paid and taxes withheld. Comparing this data with your tax filings can uncover discrepancies or missing years.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides a Social Security Statement, which breaks down your annual earnings. This can help verify that all reported income aligns with your records. Gaps in your employment history that coincide with unfiled tax returns may indicate years requiring attention.

The IRS’s Wage and Income Transcript compiles information from forms such as the W-2 and 1099, offering a detailed account of your wages and other income. Cross-referencing this information with your filed returns can pinpoint unfiled years where taxable income was reported but no return was submitted.

Reviewing Investment and Bank Records

Investment and bank records can reveal unfiled tax years by highlighting taxable events such as dividend income, capital gains, and interest earnings. Statements from brokerage accounts and banks often include Form 1099-DIV for dividends, Form 1099-B for securities sales, and Form 1099-INT for interest income. Comparing these forms with your filed tax returns can identify discrepancies, such as unreported capital gains or interest.

Bank records can also provide a financial timeline, showing deposits, withdrawals, or transfers that correspond to taxable income. For example, regular deposits from freelance work or a side business might indicate income that was overlooked during tax filing.

Verifying State Tax Filings

State tax filings are another area to check for compliance. Each state has unique tax regulations, including varying rates, deductions, and filing requirements. Reviewing state income tax returns and associated schedules can uncover inconsistencies or missed filings that may not be evident at the federal level.

Cross-referencing state tax documents with your federal returns can highlight discrepancies. Additionally, some states require reporting for other taxes, such as property or sales taxes, which should also be reviewed. Notices or correspondence from state tax authorities can provide further insight into any outstanding issues or unfiled years.

Seeking Professional Assistance

Addressing unfiled taxes can be complex, and seeking professional assistance is often a wise choice. Tax professionals, such as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) or Enrolled Agents (EAs), have the expertise to ensure all missed filings are handled accurately. They can provide tailored advice for your financial situation and identify overlooked income or deductions that may have contributed to unfiled years.

A tax professional can also manage communications with the IRS or state tax agencies, easing the burden of resolving these matters on your own. Their knowledge of current tax codes can help you navigate potential penalties or interest charges while developing a strategy to rectify past oversights. This proactive approach can improve your financial standing and reduce future risks.