When you import a W-2 it is coming from a payroll company, not TurboTax
and various payroll companies require the control number or other W-2
information for security purposes.
A control number is an option and not required. TurboTax does not require a control number. The payroll company that some employers use might require it to verify that it is you and not an imposter trying to import your W-2. Other payroll companies require other information from the W-2 to verify that. Not all W-2's even have a control number since that is an employer option and not all employers make their W-2's available for import.
**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**
