Can you wait a year to file a W-2?

[indirabeu]

I have two W2's, I'm wondering if I can wait to file the other in 2018 and just submit the one for 2017.

[Critter]

Since the employer has until 1/31 to mail out the return and the IRS is not processing any returns before 1/29 you have lots of time to wait.   And if your return has EIC or the ACTC on it your return will not be processed before 2/15  so complying with the IRS rules of entering all your 2017 income on the 2017 return is not difficult to do.

[veronica2526]

Do i have to file both of them

[xmasbaby0]

Yes you have to file every 2017 W-2 you received on your 2017 tax return.  They were already reported to the IRS so your tax return needs to match.

[alyssamichele8]

If you have a W-2 from last year & your return was accepted/paid, you can file an amended return for that year (IE: If you have a W-2 from 2016 that wasn't reported, you can file an amended return for tax year 2016 reflecting this W-2), but you can not file last years W-2 on this years return (IE: If you have a W-2 from 2016 that wasn't reported, you can not report it on your 2017 return). You have 3 years to file an amended return, or 2 years from the tax date!

[Critter]

@alyssamichele8    Why are you answering  a post from a year ago that was fully answered to start with ?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Every W-2 that you received must be reported on your tax return, even if they are for small amounts.  Remember that each one of those W-2’s has your Social Security number on it, and that income was reported to the IRS by the employer.  You do not want to get in trouble with the IRS for under-reporting your income.

ALL of your W-2’s must be entered on the SAME tax return.  After you enter the first one, you click Add Another W-2.

[ddaven12]

Unfortunately no, if the W-2's are both 2017 W-2's, they will need to be filed on your 2017 tax return.

Please reply below if you have any additional questions.