How can I address my outstanding IRS tax issues for the years 2020 and 2022, considering I had a regular job with taxes withheld in 2020, collected unemployment, and did gig work (DoorDash) in 2022? I'm feeling overwhelmed and don't even have a clear record of the jobs I worked during those years. What steps should I take to start sorting out my tax situation, especially when I have limited knowledge about taxes?

You can probably get help from a free tax preparation program, but you'll need to get your Wage and Income transcripts if you don't have your tax documents. You can get your IRS Wage and Income transcripts here:

Get IRS Transcript

These won't have all the information you may need, but they will have enough information to file a paper federal tax return for 2020. You can use FreetaxUSA yourself to prepare your return for 2020 and mail it in.

Also check your Account transcript for 2020 just to make sure it says No tax return filed.

If you want to e-file your 2020 return you only have a couple months, and you need to have the full EIN on your W-2. You also have to go to a tax professional or free tax preparation program; you cannot e-file a prior year tax return on your own.

Another limitation with IRS transcripts is they do not have any state income tax information, and they don't have any health insurance documents if you need that. If you had insurance through the marketplace aka Obamacare, you'll need to get the 1095-A from the marketplace. You don't need a 1095-B or C for Medicaid or employer-provided coverage unless your state requires health insurance.

If you are due a refund for 2020, you need to file that before May 15, 2024 or you will forfeit the refund. If you owe instead, you still need to file that return if you need to set up a payment plan for 2022. If you mail in the 2020 return, be sure to sign and date the Form 1040 in blue ink, and send it certified mail to the address for your state here:

Where to File Paper Tax Returns With or Without a Payment

Most of the free tax preparation programs are only open Feb 1 through April 15. If you don't see any in-person locations now, check again in early January:

Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers

GetYourRefund

Get your refund is probably still an option, but they may not be able to prepare your state return. If your local free tax programs aren't available through Get Your Refund you'll get transferred to a different state's program.

You'll need to get your income and expenses for 2022 organized, since you did Door dash. You can't get this information from your IRS transcripts; it's something you need to track yourself, especially mileage. There are guides here that can help you with that part - check the Gig economy guide:

MyFreeTaxes Self-Employed Tax Guides

You can still e-file your 2022 return yourself until October 15 this year. It's never a good idea to put off filing a tax return just because you can't pay the tax you owe. You can use My Free Taxes, which is a free version of TaxSlayer, or you can use one of the IRS Free File options:

IRS Free File: Do your Taxes for Free

The free tax preparation programs can also help you file this return, but you need to organize your income and expenses yourself usually.

If you cannot pay the taxes due on the 2022 tax return when you file, that's really no big deal. You can set up a payment plan online once you get a balance due notice, as long as you have filed your 2020 return and it's been processed. That's a standard IRS requirement - you need to be in compliance.

If you cannot set up a payment plan because your 2020 tax return wasn't processed yet - something that can easily happen if you file a paper tax return for that year - you'll need to fax a copy of the 2020 tax return to the IRS before they approve a payment plan.

Here's the link to set up a payment plan online:

Apply Online for a Payment Plan

If you cannot afford to pay the lowest monthly payment, you'll need to contact IRS collections. They have other options, but you have to call them and give them some information about your financial situation. There are good summaries of payment options here:

Paying Taxes