W-2 lost in mail

megfaircloth — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 06:44:30 GMT

My previous place of employment is now closed and I can't get in touch with any of the owners. I don't have any pay stubs, so should I just fill out a 4852 Form from memory?

Please do not do that . . . at least not without first fo...

GeoffreyG — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 06:44:32 GMT

Please do not do that . . . at least not without first following proper IRS procedures, as this will only cause an unnecessary delay in processing your tax return. The IRS has strict guidelines about filing a tax return without a W-2.

Federal law says that your employer has until the end of January to mail your W-2 to you. Even if your employer has gone out of business, you, as an individual taxpayer, are required to wait at least until February 15th to contact the IRS and ask for permission to file without a W-2. You are also asked (by the IRS) to attempt to contact your employer, or your former employer, and inquire about the mailing of the W-2 statement (which it sounds like you've already tried to do).

After that time, and after receiving permission from the IRS by telephone, you can file your tax return using your best memory, or whatever documentation you may have, such as paystubs and bank deposits, as an estimate of your wages and withholding.

The formal process and sequence of events is outlined here, at the following webpages:

https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/missing-your-w2-here-is-what-to-do

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901028-what-if-it-s-february-but-i-still-don-t-have-my-w-2

Please also know that if you do need to prepare a Form 4852 (Substitute W-2 Statement), as approved by the IRS, that TurboTax contains this tax form within the software program.

Thank you for asking this important question.

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W-2 lost in mail

Please do not do that . . . at least not without first fo...