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