Can you file one W2 form while waiting on an additional W2 form?

[TomYoung · Accepted solution]

Well, literally, the answer to your question is "Yes."  You certainly can file an income tax return using partial information, then amend that income tax return when you get more information, then amend - maybe again and again - as information trickles in.  But why would you?  You are creating an incredible amount of work for yourself - having to amend and amend - and you risk the possibility of getting the IRS confused - which will certainly work to your disadvantage - and getting yourself confused as well, maybe showing a refund with the first filing, then having to pay taxes with the second filing, or third, or fourth.

I strongly recommend that you not get yourself in a lather trying to get a refund at the earliest possible second.  If you and/or the IRS get confused you could find yourself in a protracted struggle with the IRS trying to get things straightened out.  When you have all your information, file your income tax return.

Tom Young

[VolvoGirl]

Technically when you file a return you are signing it and saying it is true, correct and complete.  That's what it says above the signature line.  If you know you are getting another W2 then you are knowingly filing a false return (under penalties of perjury).  So wait until you get all your forms.  And you may get other forms you aren't expecting.

[emilywright32291]

yes, when you get your others just go back & amend it.

[macuser_22]

An amendment takes 12-16 weeks (3-4 months) to process.

[lstone19]

As others have said, you can but you shouldn't. You don't file a W-2; you file your tax return (one for all your income for the entire year) and includes information from the W-2 (technically, your employer files (that is, send to the IRS) the W-2 and you just use the information on it in preparing your return (although if filing on paper, you send in one of your copies of your W-2 but you're doing that more as proof of the taxes withheld that you're claiming as payments rather than to "file" it).

[FayshaLK]

What if I filed a w2, & didn’t realize I had another one coming in?

Would I still have to amend it, instead if just starting another w2?
How long does it take before you can amend it, & add the next w2?

[lstone19]

FayshaLK, please read my reply from 5/13/2019. You do not "file" or "start" a W-2. You file a complete tax return for the year. All income, whether from one or multiple W-2s as well as on 1099s, go on your one and only tax return. So if you filed a tax return and then received another W-2, your only option is to amend. You can do so immediately.