How to get old W2 forms from 2016-2018 when employers won't provide them?

You can request a "Wage and Income Transcript" from the IRS that shows all information reported to the IRS about your income, including W-2 data. This is exactly what you need. There are three ways to get these transcripts: 1) Online: Create an account at IRS.gov and use the "Get Transcript Online" tool 2) Mail: Complete Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) and check box 8 for "Form W-2 Transcript" 3) Phone: Call the IRS at 800-908-9946 and follow the prompts The wage and income transcripts will contain all the information that was on your W-2s, which is what you need to file your back taxes. Be aware that transcripts are generally available for the past 10 years, so you should be able to get everything you need for 2016-2020.

When I was in almost the same situation (hadn't filed for 4 years), I found an amazingly helpful tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that was a lifesaver for dealing with missing documents. I was totally stressed about getting all my old W2 info together, and my former company had gone out of business. The site helped me analyze my wage and income transcripts that I got from the IRS (like the previous commenter suggested). It basically looked through all the data and organized everything I needed for filing those back tax returns. What I really liked was that it explained what each item on the transcript meant in normal human language instead of tax code gibberish.

I tried taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here, and wow! It actually works really well for organizing old tax documents. I was super confused by all the codes and numbers on the wage transcripts I got from the IRS, but the tool explained everything clearly. I was able to take the organized information and file my back taxes much more easily than I expected. The whole process was way less stressful than I thought it would be. Thanks for the suggestion - definitely worth checking out for anyone dealing with missing W2s or old tax documents.

If you're struggling to get through to the IRS to get those wage transcripts (which you definitely need), I highly recommend using Claimyr.com (https://claimyr.com). The IRS phone lines are INSANELY backed up right now with wait times of 2+ hours if you even get through at all. I was in your exact position last year trying to get wage transcripts for missing W2s. After trying to call the IRS for literally days and getting nowhere, I found Claimyr. They have this system that basically holds your place in line with the IRS and then calls you back when an agent is available. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It saved me from wasting hours on hold. I got my wage transcripts request processed in like 15 minutes once I actually talked to someone.

I need to apologize for my skepticism about Claimyr. After posting that comment, I was still desperate to get my wage transcripts, so I decided to try it anyway. I'm honestly shocked that it worked exactly as described. I got a call back about 90 minutes after signing up (which is WAY better than the 3+ hours I spent on hold previously). The IRS agent helped me request all my wage transcripts for the missing years, and I received them about 10 days later. I was absolutely convinced it was going to be a scam, but it legitimately saved me hours of frustration.

Just wanted to add that you can also use the Get Transcript by Mail option on the IRS website if you're not comfortable creating an online account. You don't need to fill out any forms - just go to IRS.gov, search for "Get Transcript" and choose the mail option. You'll need your SSN, DOB, and mailing address that matches what the IRS has on file. The downside is it takes 5-10 business days to arrive, but it's super easy to request. I did this for my missing 2019 W2 when my employer went out of business during COVID.

Has anyone here actually filed multiple years of back taxes before? I'm in a similar situation (haven't filed 2019-2021) and I'm terrified about penalties. Should I use a tax professional or just try to DIY with the transcripts?

I was in almost the exact same situation a few years ago - hadn't filed since 2014 and needed to catch up on multiple years with missing W2s. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely get those wage and income transcripts from the IRS like others mentioned. The online method is fastest if you can verify your identity, but don't stress if you have to use mail - it's the same information. One thing I learned the hard way: file the oldest year first and work your way forward. Some of the penalties and interest calculations can affect subsequent years, so doing them in order helps avoid confusion. Also, don't panic about penalties if you're actually owed refunds for some years. I was shocked to discover I was owed money for 2 out of 4 years I hadn't filed. The IRS doesn't penalize you for filing late if they owe YOU money. The whole process took me about 3 months from start to finish, but most of that was waiting for transcripts and then procrastinating because I was scared. The actual filing wasn't nearly as bad as I built it up to be in my head. You've got this! The hardest part is just getting started.

I went through this exact situation in 2019 when I needed to file back taxes for 2016-2018. The wage and income transcripts from the IRS are absolutely the way to go - they saved my life when two of my former employers had gone out of business. One tip that I wish someone had told me: when you get your transcripts, don't be overwhelmed by all the codes and numbers. The key things you need are pretty straightforward - your wages (usually in box 1), federal tax withheld, state tax withheld, and any other withholdings. Everything else is just additional detail. Also, if you're really behind like I was, consider reaching out to the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service if you run into any roadblocks. They're a free service within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems. I didn't know about them until later, but they can be really helpful if you're dealing with multiple years and complex situations. The most important thing is just to start the process. I spent months stressing about it before actually taking action, and the reality was much more manageable than what I had built up in my head. You're already taking the right step by asking for help here!