How can I check for unfiled tax returns? Is there a way to see my filing status with the IRS?

You can definitely check your tax filing status with the IRS. The best way is through the IRS online account system at IRS.gov. Just create an account (if you don't already have one) and you'll be able to see your tax records, including what years you've filed returns for, any balances due, and payment history. If you're showing a zero balance in your account, that's a good sign, but it doesn't necessarily mean you don't have unfiled returns. The IRS tracks filing compliance separately from payment compliance. You might not owe money but could still have filing requirements not met.

After struggling with a similar situation last year, I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to be incredibly helpful. I was confused about whether I had unfiled returns from previous years, and the regular IRS site wasn't giving me a clear picture. This tool analyzed my tax situation and showed me exactly which years had potential filing issues. It was way easier than trying to interpret the IRS transcripts on my own, which honestly left me more confused. They have a document analyzer feature that can look at your W2s and other tax forms to tell you if anything is missing or needs to be addressed.

I just tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and WOW it was actually super helpful! I uploaded my W2s from 2018-2022 and it immediately flagged that my 2018 return probably wasn't filed properly based on the documents I had. I've been worried about this for years but couldn't get a straight answer from the IRS website. The document analysis showed exactly what was missing and even gave me step-by-step instructions for fixing it. Definitely saved me hours of stress and confusion trying to figure out what to do with my old paperwork. Now I finally know exactly what I need to send in!

If you need to actually talk to someone at the IRS (which is probably a good idea in your situation), I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I spent DAYS trying to get through to a human at the IRS about my unfiled 2020 return, constantly getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Claimyr basically holds your place in line with the IRS and calls you when an agent is about to be available. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Saved me literally hours of hold time, and I was able to confirm with an actual IRS agent that I needed to submit my old W2s even though my account showed a zero balance.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After commenting here last week, I decided to try it because I was desperate to talk to someone about my 2020 unfiled return situation. I expected it to be a scam, but it actually worked exactly as described! I got a call back in about 45 minutes saying they had an IRS agent on the line. The agent confirmed I had an unfiled return from 2020 even though my account showed $0 balance. Apparently the IRS computer system doesn't always connect unfiled returns with your online account status. The agent walked me through exactly what I needed to submit and where to send it. Would have NEVER figured this out without actually talking to someone. Definitely worth it to get a definitive answer straight from the IRS.

Have you tried calling the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service? They can help research your account and tell you if you have any unfiled returns. Their number is 877-777-4778. They're separate from regular IRS customer service and can sometimes provide more detailed help.

Another option is to request a "Tax Return Transcript" from the IRS, which is different from the Account Transcript someone mentioned above. A Tax Return Transcript will only be available for years you actually filed a return. So if you request one for 2019 and they say no transcript is available, that's a pretty clear sign you didn't file for that year.

Just wanted to share my experience with a similar situation. I had unfiled returns from 2018 and 2019 that I wasn't sure about, and like you, my IRS online account showed zero balance. I ended up using a combination of the approaches mentioned here. First, I requested Tax Return Transcripts for both years through the IRS website. For 2018, no transcript was available (meaning I hadn't filed), but for 2019, there was a transcript showing I had filed but with incorrect information. This gave me a clear picture of what I needed to fix. The key thing I learned is that zero balance doesn't mean you're fully compliant - it just means you don't owe money right now. The IRS can still come after you for unfiled returns even if you don't owe anything, and there can be penalties for late filing regardless of whether you owe taxes. Since you already mailed in your 2019 W2, I'd recommend requesting that Tax Return Transcript for 2019 in a few weeks to see if the IRS processes it and updates your filing status. That way you'll know for sure if everything is squared away.