How can I get my tax returns from previous years for a job interview?

I posted this in the tax section, but since it's dealing with employment, I thought it couldn't hurt to post it here as well. Hopefully no one minds.



Hi everyone. I am in a bit of a pickle. I am going through the ridiculously rigorous application process for Royal Bank of Scotland. I filled out the online application, did the assessment online, just did a phone interview, and now I have an interview on Friday (in two days). They emailed me a checklist of documents I need to bring to the interview, and I'm able to get all of them, except for two. I need to provide payslips, or some other official documentation, of all my jobs. I had two jobs in the US that I don't have this for, and I had them so long ago that I can't access a bank statement that goes back far enough (at least, I can't access it online, and there's obviously no way I can just walk into a branch and ask, seeing as it's on a different continent!)

I called up their recruiting department and explained that I haven't got any documentation. They seemed rather surprised, but what can I say? When I had been out of these jobs for a fair while, I assumed I didn't need to hang onto any payslips or anything of the like. ANYWAY, the person I spoke to suggested getting tax returns. I said okay; that I'd try. But now I'm faced with the obstacle of getting them. How do I do it? I'm only 22; there's not a whole lot that I know about things like this.

Pretty much, I'll need tax returns from 2009 and 2010 (or 2011). Can someone help me? Getting this job would really be great for me, and I don't want something stupid like this to ruin my chances. They flat out told me that they would not hire me if I couldn't get this information to them, which is ridiculous, considering I've been able to give them every other bit of information/documentation they need. Ii would greatly appreciate any help someone can give me. I really don't know what to do.

Erm...you didn't keep copies of your taxes before you filed them? Can you call your old employers and tell them you need copies of your W-2s? You might want to also phone your bank. Just because you can't access them online, doesn't mean they don't exist. I would think they could get that information for you fairly quickly, possibly emailing them to you as an attachment.

I've wracked my brain and I seem to recall that my dad keeps a hold of all the family's tax returns in his home office, so they are kept safe. I'm horribly irresponsible.  I've written an email to my dad. I'm 90% sure he's got the documents I need. I've also written an email to my bank. I'll call them tomorrow, but I don't have a landline so calling them from my mobile is crazy expensive. I'll need to use my mother in law's phone.

If your dad doesn't have them (which I'm pretty positive he will...that's how dads are!) then the accountant might have them in a file. You don't have to go too far back, so there's a good chance they're there. Good luck!

Just so you know (in case you were going to lose sleep over it! ), my dad says they are definitely there and he'll get my brother to scan them and email them over.