Vanessa A
Employee Tax Expert

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Why do you believe it is wrong?  Did you verify the numbers with your final check stub of the year?

If box 1 doesn't match box 3, it could be that you had a retirement plan or other benefits that were not federally taxable. If this is the situation, then it is not actually an error.  Some things are not taxed by the IRS but are taxed by Social Security.

If the amount is just wrong because you made a lot less or a lot more or there is a typo, then you should contact your employer first and ask for a corrected W-2.  This is the easiest and best option.

If they refuse to fix it, then you should contact the IRS who will then send a letter to your employer and you will need to fill out form 4852 in TurboTax.
 

If your employer will not make the correction, then you can take the following steps:

  1. Enter the W-2 as you believe it should be
  2. Select continue
  3. In the screen the says Let's check for other situations select Didn't get a W-2 or received and incorrect W-2
  4. Answer yes to do you still want to complete a substitute W-2
  5. Continue through and answer the questions
  6. You will need to explain what you did to get it resolved th your employer and also how the calculations are incorrect

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