You dug through closets and shoe boxes to find the receipts you needed, burned the midnight oil for two weeks straight, and managed to get your taxes straightened out and filed before the dreaded April 15th deadline.
You can relax now, right? Logically, yes, but one can never tell if this will be the year the IRS decides to audit you.
It's recommended to keep records of your last five or so tax returns on hand in the event, but what happens if you're unable to find one, or more? Should it come to pass you are short return records dating back to 2005 - whether lost in a house fire or misplaced during a move - don't panic.
There is a way to retrieve the information without having to cut a swatch through too much red tape.
If you have the proper identification and information, you can get what you need for an audit or any other event that requires to have a lost W2 form or return.
Two simple steps are all you need to take.
1) Locate a service in your area, or online, that tracks down missing forms and returns.
Even if you're unable to find the person who did your taxes that year, or if you ran a business that folded during that time, you can still get the paperwork.
You will, however, need to verify your identity, so have that on hand along with a prior tax return from 2005 through 2009 before you have any reputable service search for you.
2) Your Social Security number, and that of anybody who jointly filed with you (spouse, business partner, etc.
) is required.
The numbers and dates of birth must match in order for a correct search to occur.
Once you're set, you can begin your search for your missing W2 or tax return, and get a W-2 copy to keep for future reference.
Good luck!