I have started our tax return for 2016. I have received my W-2 and entered the info. Anabel had 2 jobs in 2016 and has not received w-2's yet. She made $2514.81

[fxitmanrob]

Do I have to wait until I receive her W-2's or can I file today? Will her earnings increase the refund at all?

[ChristinaS · Accepted solution]

Wait for her documents if you want to file together! Adding any amount to the tax return can change the return tremendously. It could make the refund higher or it could make it lower. Keep in mind that we cannot see your return, so we couldn't possibly tell you the answer with certainty. Either way, you must include her income on a joint return- its not optional.

Besides that, your tax refund can be held up if you file an incomplete return with missing W2s. You certainly don't want that. 

The IRS isn't even accepting tax returns until 1/23/17. Sending an incomplete return in today could cause you headaches without any benefit.