| Get Moving! Not filing your Tax Returns is illegal. The | | | | Important Warning: When you prepare your Unfiled |
| IRS can punish you with penalties and even jail time. | | | | Tax Returns, you must use the tax forms for the year |
| So why do you keep procrastinating? You might think | | | | you are filing. For example, you can't use 2001 tax |
| you won't get caught, but the IRS is made to hunt you | | | | forms and change the year to 2008. |
| down. You will be caught. Follow these three simple | | | | 2) Prepare and File Forms |
| steps to get back on the right track. | | | | After you have the proper forms and publications, you |
| 1) Gather Old Info | | | | need to sign and date your Tax Return. Be sure you |
| If you haven't filed in years, you probably lost your old | | | | include all sources of income. Attach any required |
| W-2 and 1099 forms. You can try to ask businesses | | | | schedules, forms, and documentation needed. |
| that issued you a W-2 of 1099 for copies. But not | | | | 3) Send It Out |
| many businesses keep old records around. Or they | | | | If you received a notice from the IRS, mail your past |
| may be out of business. Instead, call the IRS and | | | | due return to the address on your notice. If you've |
| request income data for the missing tax years. Be | | | | never received a notice, send your return to the |
| Patient! It may take several weeks for a written | | | | address in the form instructions. Past due returns are |
| response from the IRS. | | | | processed only at certain select service centers. Keep |
| You can use Form 4852, "Substitute W-2." Attach it to | | | | in mind that if you send your past due return to |
| the front of your tax return. | | | | another office it will delay the process. |