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January 22, 2020
Question

How do I get my 2018 tax return? I don’t work for that company anymore

  • January 22, 2020
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Employee
January 22, 2020

A tax return is the Form 1040 you prepare and send to the IRS to report your income and seek a refund or pay your tax due.  

Do you mean you need your W-2--the Wage and Tax Statement that shows how much the employer paid you and how much was withheld for tax, etc.?  Your best bet is to call the old employer and ask for a copy of your W-2.  Make sure they have your address.

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2561916-how-can-i-get-a-copy-of-my-w-2

 

 

To get a copy of a W-2 from Social Security  (This will cost $86)

https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-02501

https://www.irs.gov/help-resources/tools-faqs/faqs-for-individuals/frequently-asked-tax-questions-answers/irs-procedures/transcript-or-copy-of-form-w-2/transcript-or-copy-of-form-w-2

 

You can get a wage and income transcript from the IRS:  It will not show the actual W-2, 1099’s, etc, but will show the income information the IRS received.  It will not, however, show your state information. It will only show the federal information.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

 

You say you need the income information for 2018.  The online software is only for a 2019 return, so to prepare a 2018 tax return:

Online preparation and e-filing for 2018 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2016, 2017, or 2018 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign,  and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s.  Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Note:  The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac.  It cannot be used on a mobile device.

 

 

Or to prepare it by hand on paper:

2018 Form 1040, Schedules and Instructions

 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--2018.pdf
 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040gi--2018.pdf
2018 Tax and EIC Tables https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1040tt--2018.pdf

IRS 2018 Schedules 1 thru 6 (only if needed)
Sch 1 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s1--2018.pdf
Sch 2 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2018.pdf
Sch 3 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s3--2018.pdf
Sch 4 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s4--2018.pdf
Sch 5 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s5--2018.pdf
Sch 6 : https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s6--2018.pdf

 

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**