Missing 1 W-2, company and IRS not answering my calls. Can I still file?

[isaiah0919]

I had 4 different jobs, one of them, I did not receive a w-2 and they left me on hold for an hour to just hang up on me. I called twice. Same with IRS, they just said they is no agents helping with that question anymore and hang up on me too. I have my 3 other job's w2, can I still file? 

[bluedeb · Accepted solution]

You can still file your return without the missing W2.  What you can do is file form 4852 which will serve as a substitute W-2 form

Form 4852 serves as a substitute for Form W-2, Form W-2c, and Form 1099-R, and is completed by taxpayers or their representatives when:

• Their employer or payer does not give them a Form W-2 or Form 1099-R.
• An employer or payer has issued an incorrect Form W-2 or Form 1099-R.

File Form 4852 with your tax return

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, or
• 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 print out the necessary forms and mail 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 is not 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.

Request a Wage and Income Transcript

If you filed your return using Form 4852 and want to verify that the information you included on your return agrees with the income your employer reported to the IRS, you can request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS. This transcript shows data from the informational returns that the IRS receives from issuers like your employer, including Forms W-2 and 1099.

• You can request a Wage and Income Transcript online using the Get Transcript Online tool, or by mail using Form 4506-T.
• Unfortunately, it takes a while for the IRS to compile all of this information. Your transcript might not be complete until July, so trying to order it before the tax deadline might not work.
• Once you receive the transcript, you can use it to compare the information you provided on Form 4852 to the wage and withholding information that the IRS has on record.

Amend your return (maybe)

If you receive a W-2 or order a Wage and Income Transcript after filing your tax return and the information you receive is different from what you reported on your tax return, you may need to amend your tax return.

TurboTax can help you make any necessary corrections and file Form 1040-X easily and accurately.

[AnnetteB6]

You have a couple of options.  You can file your return using the three W-2s that you do have.  Then try to get a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS (Get Transcript) that will show the information from your fourth W-2.  Once you have that information, you can amend your return to include the additional income.  You will still be able to file your return electronically.

Or, you can create a substitute W-2 as part of your tax return based on the information shown on your last pay stub for the W-2 you do not have.  However, you will not be able to file your return electronically using this method.

Take a look at the following TurboTax help article for more details and instructions:

What if it's February but I still don't have my W-2?

@isaiah0919

[bluedeb]

removed

[isaiah0919]

Hi thank you for the information. I think I'll go for an extension. But how do I know how much I owe the IRS? Is there a calculator or something I can find on my other w2s?

[isaiah0919]

Hi this is my first year filling so I don't know much. I'm trying to file for an extension, but I'm confused what they mean by Estimated 2021 federal total tax liability (form 1040, line 24). I don't have a form 1040. 

[HelenC12]

No, there isn't a calculator. Many people enter their tax information in TurboTax to get a good estimate. TurboTax then generates Form 1040. The Form 1040 has the 2021 federal total tax liability on Line 24, Total tax. 

You could do this if you have an estimate of the amount you earned at the 4th job. Better still, if you have your last paycheck stub, you could enter that information.