This last tax season was unusual, but I expect it to be more of the norm moving forward. We had clients who were missing 1099-R’s.
They have been coming so regularly that people didn’t know who to call about the missing one. The prior year’s report never has a phone number to call and make it easy.
We unfortunately can’t do it for the client, because of confidentiality, the issuer will not respond to a request from anyone other than the recipient.
But as everyone tries to stop using paper and transferring all responsibility to the taxpayer having to login and print all documents themselves.
As people age, they should have a listing of all income sources (not the tax return) and the addresses, account numbers and phone numbers. Kids of aging parents should know where this list is at, so they can assist if necessary.