< Back to IRS

Missed Filing Last Year - Will IRS Flag Me When Filing This Year?

Last year was incredibly hectic for me as I was taking care of my mother after her surgery, and I completely forgot to file my taxes. To make matters worse, I've misplaced all my W-2 documentation from 2022. I'm concerned about the technical implications of this oversight. If I proceed with filing my 2023 taxes now, will the IRS system automatically flag that I didn't file for 2022? I'm trying to determine the precise sequence of actions I should take. Should I attempt to obtain replacement documentation for 2022 and file that return first, or can I proceed with 2023 filing without complications? I experienced a similar situation back in 2018 when I was between jobs and had to file two years simultaneously.

Giovanni Rossi

Hey there! You def need to file both years ASAP. The IRS knows you didn't file last yr bc employers send them copies of your W-2s. Good news tho - you can request wage transcripts from the IRS for 2022 to see what they have on file for you. Right? Anyone else had to do this?

0 coins

-

Fatima Al-Maktoum

Could you elaborate on the process for requesting wage transcripts? Is it like trying to find a specific book in a library where you need the exact call number, or is it more straightforward?

0 coins

-

12d

Dylan Mitchell

What about state taxes? I assume they'd need to be filed for both years too, right? (Asking for a friend who's totally not in the same boat... 😬

0 coins

-

10d

Sofia Gutierrez

You need to address this IMMEDIATELY! Tax deadline is only weeks away. • Get your 2022 documents first - employers must keep records for 4 years • File your 2022 return BEFORE your 2023 return to avoid complications • Consider using https://taxr.ai to analyze your tax documents and understand any penalties you might face • File electronically - paper returns take MONTHS to process • Set calendar reminders for next year's deadline! Don't wait - penalties and interest are accumulating DAILY!

0 coins

-

Dmitry Petrov

Have you contacted your employer from last year to get copies of your W-2? Most payroll departments can easily provide duplicates. Did you use direct deposit for your paychecks? If so, your bank statements could help verify your income amounts while you're waiting for official documents. What tax software did you use previously?

0 coins

-

StarSurfer

I was in a somewhat similar situation last year, and I probably spent about 15-20 hours trying to reach someone at the IRS to help sort things out. It was, well, not exactly the most efficient use of time. I eventually used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which might be worth considering if you need to speak with an actual IRS agent about your specific situation. They seem to have some sort of system that gets you through the phone queue much faster than trying on your own, which could potentially save you quite a bit of frustration if you need to discuss both tax years with a representative.

0 coins

-

Ava Martinez

Wait really?? How does that even work? I'm nervous about using third-party services when dealing with tax stuff. Did you have to give them any personal information?? I'm already stressed enough about my tax situation!

0 coins

-

10d

Miguel Castro

Claimyr saved me hours of frustration. They don't access your tax info. They just connect you to IRS phone systems. Worth every penny when I needed to fix a similar multi-year filing issue.

0 coins

-

9d

Zainab Abdulrahman

I'm not convinced this is as urgent as others are making it seem. Unlike missing multiple years or having significant unreported income, missing a single tax year happens frequently. It's much like missing a credit card payment - there are consequences, but they're manageable and scaled to the situation. The IRS prioritizes egregious non-compliance over simple oversights.

0 coins

-

Connor Byrne

While the previous commenter isn't entirely wrong, there are still Failure-to-File penalties that accrue at 5% of unpaid taxes per month (capped at 25%). Additionally, the Automated Underreporter System might flag the discrepancy between your employer-reported W-2 and your non-filing status. I'd suggest addressing both tax years, but prioritize according to your specific tax liability situation.

0 coins

-

Yara Elias

Been there. Done that. Missed 2020 taxes. Nightmare. Got letters. Penalties added up. Finally fixed it last summer. Don't wait. Get your W-2 copies now. File both years. Sleep better.

0 coins

-

QuantumQuasar

I work with tax resolution cases regularly. As of April 3rd, 2024, you can still file your 2022 return without triggering automatic audits. The IRS typically begins sending CP59 notices (non-filing notices) around September following the tax year. If you file before receiving formal notices, you'll minimize penalties. The Substitute for Return (SFR) process usually begins 18-24 months after the due date, which would be around October 2024 for your 2022 return.

0 coins

-

Keisha Jackson

I can confirm this timeline is accurate. When I missed filing in 2021, I received my first CP59 notice on September 17, 2022. According to IRC §6020(b), the IRS is authorized to prepare returns for non-filers, but they typically exhaust notification options first. My experience taught me that addressing it proactively is significantly less stressful than waiting for the automated collection process to begin.

0 coins

-

8d

Paolo Moretti

But doesn't the IRS have limited resources for enforcement these days? With all the budget cuts over the years, are they really tracking down everyone who missed a single filing? Or are they more focused on high-value targets with significant unreported income?

0 coins

-

8d