I recieved a letter from the IRS telling me they do not have a record of my 1997 return. I checked my records and while I know I filed in 97 because I was due a refund I no longer have my return. Now I need to re-file my 1997 return to please the IRS but I don’t have any of my records. I assume if I contact my employer and my banks they can send me copies of my tax forms. Is there anything else I need to do?
The IRS should also have your W-2(s) and 1099(s) from that year, but you’re probably better off going through your employer and banks first - just keep that in mind if they fall through.
You’ll also need tax schedules, forms, and tables from that year - you can download them from the IRS website here.
Good luck.
Do you have any evidence of having filed a 1997 return? Such as a tax refund check stub, or a cancelled check made out to the IRS?
It would be preferable if you could prove to the IRS that you did file your 1997 return and that you therefore don’t need to file it again. If you re-file, considering how ornery and bureaucratic the IRS is, they may asses penalties and interest as though you had never filed in the first place.
The IRS is big and bureaucratic. Trying to “please” them may be a mistake, but you shouldn’t be afraid of them either. Have you talked to a CPA or a tax attorney about your situation?
I checked my records and do not have a check stub and would not have a canceled check because I was owed money from them. I know from threads here and other sites if you are owed money there is never any penalties for a “late filing”. I have not yet had a chance to contact a tax attourney yet, but I may try to find one with a low fee for the initial consultation. I’m 99.44% sure that I did get a refund check from them so I know they received my return.
Can your bank supply you with a copy of deposit records? They may be able to search their records for a government check deposited in the time range in question. And if you’re like me, you only make a couple of dozen deposits a year. It might be simple to figure out which one was the refund check.
If you can supply a check number for a refund that they sent you and you deposited, you may be in the clear. It might cost you some search fees, but it could be less money and hassle than refiling.
Ugly
Getting my bank to look it up may be a problem. I changed banks due to service problems and I forget who my original bank was (mergers and more mergers) It may be simpler for me to re-file. I’m looking into everything that everyone posted though.
<< It may be simpler for me to re-file. >>
I’m not an expert in this kind of situation, but it strikes me that re-filing (if you don’t have a copy of your return) will be the WORST and most COMPLICATED thing you can do. (Of course, it could depend on what was on your return, I suppose, and whether you itemized etc.)
If they find your return, they will compare it to the refile, and then you may be required to explain any discrepancies.
Please, talk to a CPA or tax attorney who has had experience with these situations. If you got a refund check, there must be a copy of the %*$()#ing original somewhere.