Do I need to contact the IRS directly if I haven't completed my tax report, have lost my W-2 (or W-4?) forms and can;t get an extension? How do I contact the IRS?

[rjs]

No, you do not need to contact the IRS. There is nothing they can do for you. You need to get another copy of your W-2 and file your tax return. (It's a tax return, not a report.) If you are getting a refund there is no penalty for filing late.

The best way to get your W-2 is to ask your employer for another copy.

If you lived and worked in a state that does not have state income tax, a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS will list the information from your W-2, but it is not in the format of an actual W-2 form and it does not include the state and local information (boxes 15 - 20). Go to Get Your Tax Record on the IRS web site to get a transcript. You want a Wage and Income Transcript, not a Tax Return Transcript.

You can get a copy of your W-2 from the Social Security Administration for a fee of $126. See the following link.

How can I get a copy of my wage and tax statements (Form W-2)?

Form W-4 is the form that you fill out and give to your employer to determine how much tax to have withheld from your pay. You do not get a W-4 from your employer, and you do not need a W-4 to file your tax return.

[xmasbaby0]

No, you do not have to contact the IRS with that sad story.   If you have not finished preparing your 2022 tax return, it is just going to be late now.  There are no further extensions except for certain people in parts of CA---and the IRS is aware of those folks. 

Online preparation is now closed for starting a new tax return for 2022; you cannot use online TurboTax. if you have not started to prepare your 2022 return.    You need the CD/download on a full PC or Mac.   When you have prepared your return, it will have to be filed by mail.    It cannot be e-filed.

If you are getting a refund or do not owe, there is no penalty for filing a late tax return.  If you owe tax due, it was supposed to be paid by mid-April and you are subject to late filing penalties and interest on the amount owed.

 If you lost your W-2 you are going to need to make the effort to get another copy.  Start by contacting your employer (s) to ask for a copy.   You might have to call them, email them, text them, snail mail them, drop in on them----whatever it takes to request a copy and have them send it to you.

If those efforts fail to get you the W-2, then you can request a copy of your wage and income transcript from the IRS.  It will only show federal information--nothing for your state---so if you need to file a state return you still have a problem.

You can get a free wage and income transcript from the IRS:  It will not show the actual W-2, 1099’s, etc, but will show the income information the IRS received.  It will not, however, show your state information. It will only show the federal information.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

You can also pay Social Security $126 for a copy of a W-2.

https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/Topic/article/KA-02501