How do I estimate state and federal tax information when a short-term prior employer never provided me with any paystubs and has failed to provide a W-2?

Below are steps to help you figure out what to do with a missing W-2:

 

Step 1: Check online

 

Many employers now issue Form W-2 electronically to employees. But that doesn't mean they'll always email the form to you, as it isn't particularly secure. Instead, they'll email you a link to an online portal where you can download the form yourself.

• Once in a while, those emails get caught in your spam folder or sent to the wrong email address. Check your spam folder to see if the notice wound up there.
• If your employer has an online portal where you access paycheck information, time cards, and other employment information, log into the website to see if your W-2 can be accessed there.
• Even if you can't find it in your email or online, you may still be able to get it electronically. Employers not only send W-2s electronically to employees, but to the IRS as well.

Tax software like TurboTax can import your W-2 electronically and will actually notify you when your W-2 is available to start your taxes.

 

Step 2: Ask your employer

 

If your online search leaves you empty-handed, contact your employer's payroll or human resources department to ask when and how they issued your W-2. If they mailed it to an old or incorrect address, the post office may have returned it to the employer.

• If that's the case, you can ask your employer to reissue your W-2 if you want to keep a paper file for your records.
• If your W-2 went missing because of a mail snafu, you can use TurboTax to retrieve a copy. As long as your employer issued one, TurboTax can import it.

Step 3: Contact the IRS

 

What happens if your employer truly never issued your W-2? Perhaps they went out of business or aren’t responding to your request for a W-2? In that case, it's time to try contacting the IRS.

• The IRS recommends contacting your employer first and waiting until the end of February to see if your W-2 arrives before getting the agency involved.
• If you've met those 2 requirements, contact the IRS or make an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) if there's one near you.

Whether you call or visit a TAC in person, be ready to provide the following information:

• Your name, address, Social Security number, and phone number
• The employer's name, address, phone number and tax ID if you have it
• The dates you worked for the employer
• An estimate of your wages and federal income tax withheld (you can usually find this information on your last pay stub for the tax year)

The IRS will contact your employer on your behalf to request the missing form and remind the employer of the penalties for failing to issue Form W-2.