Can I file my taxes if there is a wrong number on my w2 for social security number?

[p11]

one of the 9 digits entered on my w2 for my social security number is incorrect

[GeoffreyG · Accepted solution]

If the Social Security Number (SSN) on your W-2 is wrong in any way, then you really shouldn't file your tax return until you get this matter fixed.  While the IRS may accept your tax return with an erroneous W-2, and may even process a request for a tax refund, having a SSN incorrect on a W-2 can cause many other kinds of problems for you in the future, not the least of which is a failure to get (any) credit for your W-2 wages with the Social Security Administration (SSA).  This is an important consideration, perhaps not so much now, but when you reach retirement age or become disabled -- and draw SSA benefits -- it definitely will be.

So, before you file your tax return, here is what we strongly recommend that you do.

First, approach your employer (or your former employer) and ask them to both issue you a corrected W-2 (known as a W-2C), and to also send a corrected copy to the Social Security Administration.

Second, if they are responsive to you, and willing to comply, then you can use the corrected W-2C document you receive to file your tax return (it may take your employer a few weeks to complete the necessary accounting and paperwork to get you the W-2C).

However, if your employer is not willing to help you, or you cannot make contact with them, then please carefully review the process and procedure outlined at the following IRS webpage.  The IRS will then contact your employer on your behalf, and help you further, as described.

https://www.irs.gov/help-resources/tools-faqs/faqs-for-individuals/frequently-asked-tax-questions-an...

Third, if your employer won't forward your W-2C (corrected) information to the SSA, then, after you've completed the IRS process, you can additionally contact the SSA and have your earnings record updated to reflect your accurate information.  Here is a link to a short SSA document that describes this function, and shows how to notify the SSA about this issue.

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10081.pdf


Thank you for asking this important question.

[Robertctorres79]

Did a girl the right social security number cuz I tried to online tax revenue service they said my social security number was wrong

[MichelleLO]

Can you please clarify your question - was your tax return rejected due to your social security number?

@Robertctorries79

[Robertctorres79]

What is the matter with my taxes

[Cynthiad66]

You have not provided enough details for us to assist you specifically.  However, I assume you have filed and the IRS has received your return, but you have not received your refund.  

Once your tax return has been submitted, the most up to date information will come from the IRS.

It can take anywhere from a few days to 3 weeks to update. Until the IRS starts processing it on their own, you may not find record of it or the website may say that you have put in incorrect information when tracking your federal refund. As your return moves through the system, the status of it will be updated accordingly. Continue checking the Where’s My Federal Refund?  tool for updates. 

Please see below for more information on what accepted means:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/return-status/help/what-does-accepted-mean/00/26285

Per @ KatrinaLO

[Ambercy2022]

What if you already filed your taxes and didn’t notice the wrong social on your w2. I have already notified my employer they said they were going to correct it and send to irs and ssa. I have already recived a 4464c letter. Do I have to do anything?

[GeorgeM777]

No, according to the IRS, the 4464C letter is the way the IRS notifies the taxpayer that they are verifying the taxpayer's income and income tax withholding.  Additionally, the IRS states the following regarding letter 4464C:

"If you filed a return

• You don't need to take any action. Please do not call us until 60 days after the letter date and only if you haven't received your refund or heard from us by then.
• We recommend you review your return for any errors and file a corrected or amended return to correct the information."

You also mentioned that your W-2 contained an incorrect social security number.  As long as your tax return contained the correct social security number (and there are no other changes you need to make on the return) then you do not need to file an amended return.  You took corrective action by notifying your employer about the incorrect social security number as W-2s are filed with the IRS in addition to being sent to the employee.  

So for now, if it has been less than 60 days from the date of the 4464C letter, you do not need to contact the IRS.  After 60 days, you may want to contact the IRS to check on the status of their review of this matter.

Below is a link to the IRS webpage that discusses letter 4464C which you might find helpful.

Understanding Letter 4464C

@Ambercy2022

[Ambercy2022]

Okay thank you. Will my corrected W2 be automatically sent to the irs and ssa from my employer?

[Critter-3]

If the employer corrects the W-2 they are required to file them with the IRS/SSA  and the employee. 

[Texast806]

@GeorgeM777 @Cynthiad66 

So I filed and was accepted 2/8/2022. (Married Filing Jointly)

My Wife's W2 had the wrong Social Security number, so I corrected it MySelf when filing. After Months with no update, Figured out I had to Get the W-2c. I finally Recieved the W-2c, and Also Noticed that the income on the SSA website had also been updated. Wage and income transcript on the IRS now also Shows the corrected W2.

Here's My issue.

One, it's been two Months with no update since the Information was reflected on IRS and SSA sites.

Two, the W-2c Shows NO information other than employer name and address, employee name and address, and the SS number. There Are no income amounts or anything (I don't Know if this Is normal or not).

I was Concerned about the 0 values when I first Recieved the document, then was Relieved when the SSA updated with the correct income(to Determine this, I Took the SSA amount of 2021 income AFTER the W-2c was filed, and subtracted the amount Shown BEFORE it was filed, and Matched the difference to the income Shown on the original W2, it Matched exactly).

Then, I was Concerned again when the Wage and Income Transcript on the IRS site updated and Showed the W2....and it had nothing but 0 values in every row.

Afraid of delaying it any longer, I Have not amended. I Have been Told by some to amend, and by Others to NOT amend. I Hope this was clear and sufficient information and that you Will PLEASE Be Able to Provide Me with a Solution. Thank you In Advance!

[Critter-3]

DO NOT AMEND ... you have nothing to amend.  The corrected W-2 is in the system and it will simply take the IRS longer to process the return and there is nothing you can do to speed up the process.  Check the IRS WMR?  tool a couple times a week for a progress update. 

[NCperson]

@Texast806 - have you pulled up your transcript on IRS.GOV? that would be a good starting point so you can confirm what numbers the IRS is starting with. 

With the updates to the erroneous W-2, does the transcript now reflect the same numbers you used when submitting the return? If so, why even think of amending? 

As painful as it may be, best to wait until the IRS completes the processing of the original return before attempting to amend.  Once the IRS completes processing the original, you'll know exactly what they did and not have to guess.  The risk is that if you amend prior to the processing of the original return, you are guessing at the starting numbers (and that may be something other than what is related to the W-2 issue) that need to be in the left column of Form 1040X - and taht could confuse things even more

It just makes no sense to me to amend until you see what the IRS does first.  No amendment may be necessary once they complete the processing.  

[Texast806]

@NCperson no, the transcript HAS been updates, but the numbers Are not yet the same as what I Originally filed. The Corrected W2 Shows on the transcript, but it doesn't Have any Values other than "0", as that's what the W-2c Shows, nothing. And it doesn't List the information I filed from the original W-2 either. 

Yes, this Is very Painful😭

[Texast806]

@Critter-3 Turns out, I'm a on a Weekly cycle. I Check transcript and WMR Once a Week, and only thing that ever Seems to Change Is the transcript, but just the "as of" date on the top, nothing Else has updated in a couple Months.