If you received back pay in 2024 for work for a former employer, it would be taxable income, and should be reported. If you received backpay for 2024 in 2025, you can report it on your 2025 tax return. Ask your employer to provide you with a Form W-2.
The IRS and the SSA consider back pay awards to be wages. However, for income tax purposes, the IRS treats all back pay as wages in the year paid.
According to the IRS Employers should use Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or electronic wage reports to report back pay as wages in the year they actually pay the employee.
Did you ask your employer for a Form W-2?
You can request a Wage and Income Transcript, which summarizes the income and tax withholdings reported by your employer. This can serve as a reliable backup for filing your taxes.
You can also either file for an extension until you get the information or you can file your taxes now and amend your tax return when you receive the information.
To file an extension for 2024. If you are using a desktop version of TurboTax you can file an extension for your tax return using the instructions in this link: How do I file an IRS tax extension?
If you used TurboTax Online, to apply for an extension in your TurboTax program, you can do the following:
- Click on the search icon in the upper right of your TurboTax screen
- Type "extend" in your search box
- Click on the link "Jump to extend"
- Your screen will say "Applying for an Extension"
- Answer "Yes" to the question "program,"
- Select "Continue"
- Follow the TurboTax screens and answer all of the follow-up questions
Click here for How to File Taxes with a Missing W-2.
Click here for What To Do If You Haven't Received a W-2
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