lost 1099

What is the name of your state? Ohio

Lost a bunch of previous 1099's,called IRS and they located all but one year,1998.They sent me in the mail the printout of the other years in question so I can file back tax returns.Anyway,they dont have "online record" of that year,and representative was unable to suggest what to do at that point.Asked him if I filed a form 4506 I think it is....abstract request,if they would be able to locate it,his answer was dont know,but prob not !!! Also they werent showing a couple other years that I do already have 1099's for....so whats the deal,Im filing everything I have ASAP,but what about 1998?I cant believe I will escape from having 1998,they keep written records of this stuff somewhere dont they and how long to get my hands on it?And how do I proceed now?.....this throws a big prob in my plans/probs.

You have to report the income whether you received a 1099 or not. Just add it to your return in the appropriate place. You can also contact the payors & ask for duplicates.

Past employer doesnt have it,I dont have it,and IRS cant tell me if they have it or can find it.....so far anyway.I know approximately what I made that year,but it may be off by a few hundred $$ or more.So what do I do,write em a letter,file an "approximate" return and hope for the best?

File the return, but don't add a letter saying your figures aren't accurate. You might just as well send in a request that they send their nastiest auditor to your house.......

Ok,well filing it w/o a copy of the 1099 that goes with it will inevitably generate an automatic letter from IRS requesting it correct?Then what.....this one thing and a total current bill of my account is standing tween me and a chapter 13,heck I dont even need the total bill,just assurance that if I file something for 98,correct info or not,its not gonna come and screw things up.Bankruptcy attorney will undoubtedly have problems with this thing I would think.What exactly does the IRS do in cases like this?

You don't submit 1099s with a return unless they show that the payor withheld money for taxes. It's up to the IRS to prove that the return you submit is incorrect.