Irs asked me, by letter to file for 2010. i have no forms or paperwork for that year.advice?

Rule of thumb: If the IRS asks you to file a tax return, it's because their dummy return is showing that you owe. The dummy return is very simple. Any income reported on a W-2 or 1099 that was reported to the IRS, your personal exemption (unless you were a dependent), the standard deduction and nothing else.

2nd rule of thumb. 2010 was 2 years ago. The IRS usually asks for missing returns within 12-18 months not 24 months. This is unusual and makes me think a late 1099 was filed.

"I didn't think I made enough"

If you were a dependent, $950 of gross investment income is enough, including proceeds from say a stock sale. (The IRS doesn't have usually have the basis of stock, so you can have a loss and they will think it's a gain.)

If you were self-employed, $400 of income is enough to trigger SE tax.

If you were getting wage income and made more than $5700 (dependent) or more than $9500 (not a dependent), that's enough to owe if you didn't have any federal income tax withheld.

Use IRS form 4506-T to ask for the documents the IRS has. If you live in a state with an income tax, ask employers for any W-2s because you will usually need to file for the state too.

First, go to the places where you worked during 2010 and get the W-2s. They should still have their copies on file.

If that doesn't work or the places are out of business, you will need to order a tax transcript for 2010. This will show what was reported under your number for that year.

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Order-a-Transcript

It is possible that someone else made an error and their wages were accidentally reported under your number. So the IRS may believe that you were required to file even if you weren't.

IRS has information that you worked and received wage statements

you may not consider it worth the bother but now they have contacted you about what you did make

until you explain to them your personal exemptions and standard deduction IRS doesn't know if you owe taxes or not

if you worked, you can still get your W-2's from your employers and it is entirely possible you might actually have some money coming back to you

and if you are 25 you might also be eligible for some EIC that wasn't withheld from your paychecks

Go to the IRS office to get a transcript and see what they have on file. They would not ask for it if it was not needed.

Take the letter or notice in hand and contact the local IRS office in your area NOW ASAP and let them explain it to you face to face at that time in your life.

Contact Your Local IRS Office

www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1

Taxpayer Assistance Centers

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC) are your source for personal tax help when you believe your tax issue cannot be handled online or by phone, and you want face-to-face tax assistance. Taxpayer Assistance Centers are closed for all Federal Holidays. Please be advised that you may be asked to provide valid photo identification and a Taxpayer Identification Number, such as a Social Security Number, to receive services.

Hope that you find the above enclosed information useful. 08/06/2013