Is box 1 before or after federal income taxes when you have to manually enter it?

[xmasbaby0]

Box 1 is before any tax was withheld.   Box 2 shows how much tax was withheld,   Enter your W-2 exactly as it appears.   If you are keying in the amounts key in exactly what you see in those boxes.

[gagecainkemp]

Unfortunately my employer is failing to generate one for me and I had to use my w-4 and paystubs to build it. do you know where "Fica - Oasdi Ee" taxes should be entered? I have a YTD of 180.08 and on the web it says it's a social security thing but I'm still confused and it says my w-2 is wrong when I try to finish.

[VolvoGirl]

Sorry you really can't use your paystubs to enter it.  The W2 usually does not match your pay totals.  And it can be hard to figure out the amounts.  What did your employer say?  Can they give you another copy?

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

First the values on the paycheck and W-2 almost always differ somewhat and the IRS wants an exact match. (For example: Your paycheck (or paystub) will show your total wage. The W-2 box 1 will show the *taxable* wage, that can be different, and the non-taxable part will be reported in other boxes on the W-2.)

This can delay any refund by weeks.

You also will not know what to enter for the various boxes on the W-2.

Employers had until Jan 31 to issue the W-2. If it is different you will probably have to amend which takes about 4 months to process.

IRS regulations require you to either attach a copy of the W-2 to your mail tax return or have it in your possession if you e-file. The IRS can ask you to send them a copy of the W-2 even if you e-file so you must have it.

If you mail file then you are required to attach a copy of the W-2 to the tax return or the IRS will return it to you unprocessed. While you are not required to submit W-2's with e-filed returns, you still must have the W-2 in your possession since the IRS can ask for it when they review your e-filed return.

If you do not receive your W-2 by February 14, then you can use your paycheck and file a 4852 form, but you must follow the IRS rules in order to do so.

[Paraphrased from IRS rules]
Can you file without having received your W-2? Yes, but only if you have not received it by the end of February, and you have contacted your employer and attempted to obtain it, and you still have not received it then you contact the IRS (see the link below), then if the IRS is not successful in getting your W-2, you can use form 4852 in place of your W-2. But you MUST speak to the IRS before doing so. Otherwise, you cannot file before you receive your W-2.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-can-help-taxpayers-get-form-w-2-0