[PJOHNSON1]

I haven't filed for years and just got my new job last year and don't remember when I filed last, before 2012. I am trying to find out what is the hold up on my tax return for 2012 and the IRS worker told me to find my last return so that they can use that information to get through the security lock, in order to check up on the reason for the wait on my return.

Please help me figure out when I last filed a return so that I may find out what is holding this years return up?

Thank you;

Patricia

<Personal Contact removed for safety>

[smoothy]

You are supposed to file every year... even if you have no income... you should keep the last several years returns at least in case they say you never filed... because if you can't prove you did... you are screwed.

If you don't know this info... none of us possibly can.

There is also the probability they are on to the fact you have several years without filing... and are in the process of doing something.

Besides... its only February... a lot of people haven't even filed yet... its going to take longer.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Smoothy,

That is not correct. If your income falls below certain thresholds, or if your income is non-taxable (such as SSI or SSD or just plain Social Security), you have no legal requirement to file. Many people do in order to get back withheld federal and state taxes, but I routinely tell students with a W-2 that show $2,000 in wages and NOTHING withheld for federal or state taxes to save the W-2, but they have NO REQUIREMENT to file a tax return for either the federal or state.

The OP should try to find the old returns. If he cannot, he should call 1-800-829-1040 and ask for tax transcripts for 2002 through 2011. These are free, and will be mailed to him in about two weeks.

[smoothy]

But if they have a gap between work periods and the IRS decides to audit them and say they never filed... they are in an awkward position to prove. Particularly if they collected unemployment benefits... or had any other income that might have left a paper trail. Or previously and afterwards worked in a job that deals with cash payments that are easy to under report.

It didn't sound to me like they were a young student... however that might be a good point for clarification.

Maybe I'm just being overly paranoid when it comes to those guys in the IRS (because you are considered guilty until you prove yourself innocent... literally)... but they have pulled that with me twice over the last 30 years (saying I never filed a return over 3 years after the fact)... luckily I keep my returns way longer than recommended... I was able to put it to rest quick and easy both times.