How many years can the I.R.S. go back and request a Tax return?
152177
It used to be 7 years but they are so far above the law now that they pretty much do as they please.  I personally know of a person who got audited because they didn't file a return in 1956-in 1995!  He didn't file that year because he had gone back to school and was living with his parents and didn't have any income for the year.  The IRS didn't care.  They made him pay the average of his tax for 1955 and 1957-with penalties.  Oh, and this friend is a lawyer too...
1011363
don't think you can unless you fild with an online self tax program.  you need to save hard copies of your last three years.
1029443
You might be ok. Some employment background checks only go back ten years
1101750
You're not in trouble, per se, because you have 3 years to file a return in order to get a refund (if due).  But what happens when you don't file a return is that IRS files a Substitute 1040 for you, and then they add penalties and interest to it, and the interest is accumulative, so you're much better off filing it now to eliminate owing them any more than you may already owe.  If you owe and can't pay, they will work out a payment plan with you, and you should take their offer, because the interest they charge is much less than paying it with a credit card.  And you don't need to hire someone to file the return for you; just go to irs.gov, find the form, fill it out and mail it in.
901481
If you have closed on the loan, you are done.  If they are asking for tax returns that they have not received, I seriously doubt you have actually closed.  In any case, file returns now.  If you are due a refund, you are still within the 3 year window to claim the refund.  If you owe the IRS, penalties and interest continue to accrue until you pay.  The 3 year window for assessing tax does not start until you file.  If you never file, the IRS can come after you forever even without alleging fraud.
1150801
If they have already contacted you regarding the money, there is no statute of limitations on collecting.  Howefver, they have three years from the date you filed your return to examine your returns.  Once they have done that, they can take their time.  However, if they beleive you have committed fraud, they can audit EVERY tax return you ever filed.\nIf you owe them, you will have to pay.  Bankruptcy won't help since taxes are excluded from debts that get discharged.  Your best bet is to try to work out some payment plan that you can afford.  If they agree to it, DON'T default or they can demand the entire debt to be paid at once.  FYI, state and local taxing authorities make the IRS seem like kittens so don't mess around.
174531
H&R Block should have a copy of your return that they did for you. I know they had all of my own information from the last time I had used their service.\n\nJust call them up and let them know you need a copy. They may charge a fee, but it would be quicker than requesting a copy of your 2004 tax return from the IRS. That could take up to weeks and weeks.
377069
Since the government owes you and you dont have income then you can file at any time. you can go back as long as you need to\n\nIt is in your interest to file early however because you may qualify for refunds.\n\nufile on the web or ufile packages in stores will do it
1172391
Some of your answers posted are incorrect.\n\nMost states work off a system similar to the Federal/IRS system.\nThis means you have three years from April 15 of the year following the year you are reporting.\nFor example, you have until April 15, 2008 to file a return for tax year 2004 (originally due on April 15, 2005).  Since most states share electronic information with the IRS, if you are in good standing with them, the state will notify you by letter of any amount due.\nIf they owe -you- money, they will -not- notify you.  You only have three years to claim an amount owed to you.\n\nState penalties for tax avoidance are in most cases much less than Federal penalties.\n\nMost employers automatically withhold the proper amount (within a few dollars) of your state taxes owed.  If you had federal taxes withheld from your check and filed a federal return, you should really not worry about it at all.\n\nIf you are self-employed, or had employees working for your business, it is a whole other story.  You should then consider hiring a tax expert or attorney as in these cases the possibility of severe fines and penalties can be real.\n\nOtherwise, don't worry about the state issue unless they contact you.\n\nI hope this has been helpful.
49454
A social security number can only be used once per year on one return. So two diferent filers cannot claim the same number
535514
US Taxes knows no boundaries. What's more interesting is that if you file a tax return, you have three years to collect your refund.  If you don't file or owe, they can go after you forever.\n\nFake ID carries it own penalties, but you still owe the tax.  As far as children in another country, you have to prove you provided for more that 50% of their support and the other spouse isn't claiming them on their return.  The code implies that the child must be in the usa.
22936
If you haven't filed, you should file at your earliest possible convenience. You have three years from the original due date of the return to file a tax return (or amended return) to claim any tax refunds. That means as of right now, you can file your 2004, 2003, and 2002 tax returns and still get a refund. What about 2001 and earlier? You should also file those as well. If your return shows a refund, you won't get that refund check. Sorry. If you owe, penalties and interest will be added.\n\nAs a practical matter, you will still need various documents to support your tax return -- such as W2s and mortgage interest statements. Those records are generally kept for 5 to 7 years by the IRS. So you can get copies of your supporting documents if need be.\n\nAs for tax collections, the IRS can collect on tax debts for up to 10 years from the date you actually filed a return. If you never filed, they can collect tax debts indefinitely. Just another benefit of filing at your earliest possible convenience.\n\nYou can find all the IRS time limits (or "statute of limitations" as they are called) from my web site at the link below.\n\nAll the best,\n\nWilliam Perez\ntaxes.about.com
28174
no, not usually.  you may need the hard copy of last years return.  however, if you did your return online then you should be able to access your return. then yes.\n\notherwise no.  if you do not have the hard copy of your taxes, contact the irs and let them know you need a copy.  they will mail it to you once you prove who you are.  do this asap as it usually takes 4-6 weeks to receive the information.
739645
You can't claim it in a different year than the one in which it was paid or accrued, but you can file amended returns for those prior years to claim a refund of the tax that the deduction would have saved.  However, an amended return must generally be filed within 3 years of the due date of the original return, which means that you may only be able to claim a refund for the interest attributable to the years 2003-2005.\n\nConsult a tax advisor for advice that takes your specific circumstances into account.
593499
Call them and ask for it.  Or pull your old tax returns.
303139
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96623,00.html\n\nGo to the above site.  It should help you determine if you need to file a return.  Be on the safe side and check with the IRS directly.
41544
Just contact the IRS and explain your situation to them and they will send you the forms you need to fill out for those years!   Good Luck!\n\nhttp://www.irs.gov