You can't see your W-2 before you get it from your employer, unless the employer or payroll department has it available for employees to download. And it is very unlikely at this early point in time. Once the employers have their database of W-2s complete, and if the employer is a participating partner with TurboTax, you may be able to import the W-2 into your TurboTax product.
Whatever you do, do NOT prepare your final return using figures from pay stubs. You could experiment and test run some figures, but you should later delete them or start your return over before preparing it "for real" after you get your W-2 and any forms 1099 (if applicable.)
You may need to revise any early entries when you get those forms. Employers have until
January 31 to mail you those forms, although some people will get one before then. If you file before you have all your
information, you risk having to amend your return later, which can be a hassle. So do not file a return on the basis of any pay
stubs; wait for your W-2's, 1099's (if applicable), etc.
You can't file right now anyway. The IRS will
not start processing returns until late January or possibly early February (except for a few test
returns the IRS may pull
early). The current government shutdown can possible add to any delay.
TurboTax has not yet opened up efiling, but will before too long. However, it's not advisable to file early. Any returns filed early in January will just sit on TurboTax
servers
until late January and cannot be retrieved if you notice something wrong
or
receive additional tax forms. If the IRS accepts the return as filed,
you'd later have to file an amended
return. We see a lot of problems posted in this forum each year from
people who filed their returns too early.
And starting a couple of years ago, if you have EIC (earned income credit) or ACTC
(additional child tax credit), the IRS will not start releasing those
refunds until around February 15.
Yes
No
