Top Show
Updated for Tax Year 2022 • October 18, 2022 08:52 AM OVERVIEW With tax season picking up, taxpayers across the country are eagerly awaiting their W-2s so they can file their returns and claim any refunds they might be owed. But, if you haven’t received your W-2 yet, you might be wondering where your W-2 is as the tax deadline gets closer and closer. These simple steps will help you track down your W-2 or file without it. Missing W-2While employers have until January 31 to issue W-2s to employees, some drop them in the mail on that date while others experience difficulties in getting them out on time. If you haven’t received your W-2 yet, there’s no reason to worry. There are still plenty of options to ensure you file accurately and on time. Before we walk through what to do if you haven't received a W-2, we'll start with the basics—what it is and who receives one. What is a W-2?Form W-2 is completed by an employer and contains important information that you need to complete your tax return. It tracks your total wages for the year and the amount of federal, state, and other taxes withheld from your paycheck. It may also contain information about:
Who receives a W-2?Usually, you'll receive a W-2 if you're considered an employee (not a contractor). You may also receive multiple W-2s if you:
However, if you work as an independent contractor, the company will likely send you Form 1099-MISC rather than a W-2.
If you’re waiting for your W-2, here are the steps you can take to find it. Step 1: Check onlineMany employers now issue Form W-2 electronically to employees. But that doesn't mean they'll always email the form to you, as it isn't particularly secure. Instead, they'll email you a link to an online portal where you can download the form yourself.
Tax software like TurboTax can import your W-2 electronically and will actually notify you when your W-2 is available to start your taxes. Step 2: Ask your employerIf your online search leaves you empty-handed, contact your employer's payroll or human resources department to ask when and how they issued your W-2. If they mailed it to an old or incorrect address, the post office may have returned it to the employer.
Step 3: Contact the IRSWhat happens if your employer truly never issued your W-2? Perhaps they went out of business or aren’t responding to your request for a W-2? In that case, it's time to try contacting the IRS.
Whether you call or visit a TAC in person, be ready to provide the following information:
The IRS will contact your employer on your behalf to request the missing form and remind the employer of the penalties for failing to issue Form W-2. Step 4: File Form 4852 with your tax returnIf IRS intervention still doesn't produce the form you need and you want to file by the tax deadline, fill out Form 4852. Form 4852 is a substitute for Form W-2 that taxpayers can complete if:
When you use TurboTax, we'll ask you a few questions to estimate your total wages and withholding using your final pay stub, and fill out Form 4852 based on your answers. The IRS doesn't allow Form 4852 to be filed electronically, so you'll need to print out the necessary forms and mail them to the IRS. It might take the IRS longer than normal to process your return while it verifies your information. If you don't mind waiting, you can request an extension. This gives you additional months to get your W-2 and file a return.
Step 5: Request a Wage and Income TranscriptIf you filed your return using Form 4852 and want to verify that the information you included on your return agrees with the income your employer reported to the IRS, you can request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS. This transcript shows data from the informational returns that the IRS receives from issuers like your employer, including Forms W-2 and 1099.
Step 6: Amend your return (maybe)If you receive a W-2 or order a Wage and Income Transcript after filing your tax return and the information you receive is different from what you reported on your tax return, you may need to amend your tax return. TurboTax can help you make any necessary corrections and file Form 1040-X easily and accurately. File with confidence—with or without a W-2It's always easier to file a tax return with an accurate W-2 than without it, but if you haven't received your form and need to file, you have options. The steps above can help you get the information you need to file a complete and accurate return, even if your W-2 is tough to track down. Remember, with TurboTax, we'll ask you simple questions about your life and help you fill out all the right tax forms. With TurboTax you can be confident your taxes are done right, from simple to complex tax returns, no matter what your situation. All you need to know is yourselfAnswer simple questions about your life and TurboTax Free Edition will take care of the rest. For simple tax returns
only Real tax experts on demand with TurboTax Live BasicGet unlimited advice and an expert final review. Done right, guaranteed. For simple tax returns only
The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business. How do I get my WYou can also use Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return. Check the box for Form W-2, specify which tax year(s) you need, and mail or fax the completed form. Most requests will be processed within 10 business days from the IRS received date.
Can I look up my old WPlease visit irs.gov and click on “Get Your Tax Record” to request a wage and income transcript containing your W-2 information. If you are unable to use the IRS online request option, you can complete an IRS Form 4506-T.
|