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New Member
posted May 31, 2019 11:01:40 PM

How to get the Box 1 number of my W2 form if I don't have the hard copy?

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1 Replies
Intuit Alumni
May 31, 2019 11:01:42 PM

The only place you can get box 1 is from your W-2.  Box 1 is taxable compensation and is a critical part of your W-2 and income tax return.  The easiest solution is to request a copy or online access from whoever issued you the W-2. I have outlined the formal process of filing without your W-2, if for some reason it is impossible to retrieve your W-2. 

Although it's certainly possible for you to file a tax return without your W-2, the IRS has strict guidelines about to do it.  Please continue reading for full details.

Even if your employer has gone out of business, you, as an individual taxpayer, are required to wait at least until February 15th to contact the IRS and ask for permission to file without a W-2.  You are also asked (by the IRS) to attempt to contact your employer (or your former employer) and inquire about the mailing of the W-2 statement.

After that time, and after receiving permission from the IRS by telephone, you can file your tax return using your paycheck stubs as an estimate.

The formal process and sequence of events is outlined here, at the following webpages: 

https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/missing-your-w2-here-is-what-to-do 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901028-what-if-it-s-february-but-i-still-don-t-have-my-w-2

If you have to go this route and need to prepare a Form 4852 (the Substitute W-2 Statement), as approved by the IRS, TurboTax does contains this tax form.