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New Member
posted Jun 5, 2019 11:05:06 PM

Can I have three W2s but only two are correct. Is it possible to file the incorrect W2s once corrected with 2019 W2s without penalties? If so, how so?

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:05:16 PM

The W-4 that you gave the employer does not dictate how you file your tax return.  It just tells them how much tax to withhold from your paycheck.  That does not make your W-2 "wrong."  The payroll dept may have noted 3 allowances on the W-2 paper they gave you.  All that matters is how much they put in box 2 of your W-2 and you need to enter whatever it says.  If they used 3, it just means they did not withhold as much.  But having a conversation with the employer and sorting it out first is a good idea.

5 Replies
Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:05:08 PM

What?  Are you waiting for an employer to correct a 2018 W-2?   Then wait for it.  No you cannot include it when you do your 2019 tax return--that would be a big mistake.  If you do not wait for your W-2 and file 2018 without it, you will end up having to file an amended 2018 return-- a process that takes about 4 months.

New Member
Jun 5, 2019 11:05:10 PM

From my current employer they have that my W2 shows 3 allowances. I've only ever selected 0 or 1 for my allowances. I just noticed it now while I was filing my taxes that the allowances are incorrect(I'm going into work tomorrow to see my physical documents and validate whether I put 3 down). I want to file my taxes with the W2s I have that are correct and dispute the one that is incorrect. So, I have to hold on filing completely until I get my W2 from my current employer fixed?

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:05:11 PM

See below.

Level 15
Jun 5, 2019 11:05:16 PM

The W-4 that you gave the employer does not dictate how you file your tax return.  It just tells them how much tax to withhold from your paycheck.  That does not make your W-2 "wrong."  The payroll dept may have noted 3 allowances on the W-2 paper they gave you.  All that matters is how much they put in box 2 of your W-2 and you need to enter whatever it says.  If they used 3, it just means they did not withhold as much.  But having a conversation with the employer and sorting it out first is a good idea.

New Member
Jun 5, 2019 11:05:17 PM

Exactly - they didn’t withhold much. I also worked part time for the first time ever last year and I thought my witholdings were lower because I made less. This is where the hiccup is drawn from.

If my W4 shows zero or one but my w2 shows three  allowances, what’s the next step on getting this adjusted?

Payroll does not have the right to just adjust or input the wrong allowances either. . .

Tomorrow I’m stopping by hr to view my documents and I need to know is there any resolve if payroll made a mistake with inputting my witholdings.