Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Wait at least until the end of February; your employer may still send your W2 form.

What 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.

• The IRS recommends contacting your employer first and waiting until the end of February to see if your W-2 arrives before getting the agency involved.
• If you've met those 2 requirements, contact the IRS or make an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) if there's one near you.  (800-829-1040) 

Whether you call or visit a TAC in person, be ready to provide the following information:

• Your name, address, Social Security number, and phone number
• The employer's name, address, phone number, and tax ID if you have it
• The dates you worked for the employer
• An estimate of your wages and federal income tax withheld (you can usually find this information on your last pay stub for the tax year)

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.

If 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:

• They haven't received a W-2
• Their employer issued an incorrect W-2

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 paper file your tax return by printing out the necessary forms and mailing 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.

• Just keep in mind that you still need to pay any taxes due by the tax deadline, so an extension to file isn't an extension of time to pay any taxes you may owe.
• Otherwise, the IRS will add interest and perhaps penalties to the amount due when you eventually file your extended return.

TurboTax article: What To Do If You Haven't Received a W-2

You can file a conventional paper return that includes IRS Form 4852 if you haven't been able to get a W-2 from your employer. Here's how to fill one out:

1. Open or continue your return and search for W-2. Select the Jump to link in the search results to go to the W-2 entry screen.
2. Fill out your W-2 using the information from your last pay stub.
3. Answer any questions until you get to Let's check for uncommon situations.
4. Check the box next to Didn't get a W-2 and select Continue.
5. On the Let's check if you need a substitute W-2 screen, select Yes then Continue.
6. Answer the follow-up questions. Select Print to download and print your IRS Form 4852.

Note: Returns including Form 4852 can't be e-filed because of IRS regulations.

TurboTax FAQ: How to file a substitute W2 using Form 4852?