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Where's My W-2?

February 10, 2008

You want to file your taxes. You want to get that refund. But you still haven’t received that final W-2. What can you do? Keep in mind that W-2s don’t have to be mailed until January 31; be certain you’ve given a reasonable amount of time for it to arrive through the postal service.

If you still haven’t received your form, call your employer and confirm that they have your correct mailing address. If they do, ask when the W-2 was mailed.

If you STILL haven’t received your W-2 by February 15, you can call the IRS for help at 800-829-1040. You’ll need to have the following information:

Employer's name, address, city, and state, including zip code.
Your name, address, city and state, including zip code, and Social Security number, and
An estimate of the wages you earned, the federal income tax withheld, and the period you worked for that employer. The estimate should be based on year-to-date information from your final pay stub or leave-and-earnings statement, if possible.

When you reach the IRS, you will need to tell them that you contacted your employer and that you still have not received your W-2. They will take your information and review the items listed above. The IRS will send a letter to your employer notifying them that they must send you the W-2 or they’ll be fined. The IRS will also send you Form 4852 – Substitute W-2 Form – so you can complete your return.

If you misplaced your W-2, contact your employer. Your employer can replace the lost form with a “reissued statement.” Be aware that your employer is allowed to charge you a fee for providing you with a new W-2.

You still need to file your tax return on time even if you do not receive your W-2. If you do not receive the missing information in time to file, you can use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Attach Form 4852 to the return, estimating income and withholding taxes as accurately as possible.

Our trained preparers at PRO-TAX can assist you in filing your return – whether you have your W-2, or need to file with Form 4852! Stop by your nearest PRO-TAX location today!

Nicole, 02/05/2009:

My previous employer still has not mailed my W2. She told me via text message that she was going to bring it to me on February 2nd. Isn't this illegal? Doesn't she have to mail it? I have asked her 3 times since then and I still have not received my W2. Can I do something about this or should I still wait until the 15th before contacting the IRS?

John, 02/05/2009:

According to the IRS, Employers must furnish copies B, C and 2 of Form W2 to employees, generally, by February 2, 2009. The employer meets the "furnish" requirement if the form is properly addressed and mailed on or before the due date.

If you live close to a PRO-TAX office we would be happy to help you call the IRS. Just print out this page with my comments, so they know John Going sent you.

Steven, 02/07/2009:

I worked for Ameritime Mortgage Company, LLC last year and I still have not recieved my w2 and today is Feb 7th 2009 there address is below. I was told the company went out of buisness last year.
2100 West Loop South, Suite 900
Houston,TX 77027

I am trying to file my tax returns, but can not because I still do not have my 2008 w2 from this company. I need help getting them. Can some please help me.

Steven Vick
919-673-8109

John, 02/10/2009:

Steven,

Glad we were able to connect by phone, and that you finally received your W2. Let us know if we can ever help with anything.

John

Shannon, 02/20/2009:

I havent received my W2 yet, and when I had said something to the man that does the payroll he said that if I dont receive it by the 26th of Febuary then I was to fill out this form. Which I filled out, but it said that i will have to pay $5.00 just so that my company will do a reprint of the W2 form. It baffles me that i'm going to have to pay for something that i never lost or was stolen in the first place. What should i do?

John, 02/20/2009:

Shannon,

My suggestion is that you press your employer. If you never received your W2 in the mail, then they should provide you another copy. If that does not work a call to the IRS, as discussed above in the article, would be in order.

Jullianne, 03/09/2009:

i talked to my company's payroll office almost a month ago and they said they were sending a copy of my w2 n i would have it within 2 weeks! well it's almost been 4! so i called again n they said it was returned to them but yet it had my correct address on it n i didn't return it! N the lady said she can't fax it to me but they did someone else! i really need that what can i do?

John, 03/10/2009:

Here are my suggestions:

If you live close enough to your employer go in and pick it up so you can move forward with filing your tax return

Contact the IRS to report the missing Form W2. They can be reached at 800-829-1040. You will need to provide the info listed in the article above.

If you have your last paystub, you can file a substitute W2 form, which will allow you to file the return.

dajshonique, 11/10/2009:

i was wondering if i could get a copy of my 2008 w2 form

renita, 02/03/2010:

My employer sent me my w2 with the wrong employer's name. i've tried contacting them to update it, but have been given the run around. do i still file my taxes with the incorrect employer's name or do i have to wait until i receive an updated one?

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