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That's not a good idea. See this FAQ from TurboTax: https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899643-can-i-use-my-last-paystub-if-i-don-t-have-my-w-2-yet
TurboTax will not begin accepting returns for efiling until early January. They will just hold them until the IRS begins accepting returns on Jan.23. Once you submit a return to TurboTax for efiling, you can't get it back to make changes. If you qualify for EITC or additional child tax credit, the IRS will hold your return until Feb. 15 before processing your refund. You should have your W-2 long before then so it's better just to wait for it before you file your return.
Tax Refund Schedule - and Filing with Paycheck Stub without W-2
UPDATED FOR 2018 Tax Year (January 2019) - Every Year, Most Folks really don't like this answer but it is the truth!!!
SEE ATTACHMENT SHOWING ORIGINAL (now likely outdated because of Federal shutdown)
IRS PROCESSING DATES AND REFUND DATES
- REFUND SCHEDULE LIKELY DELAYED BY GOVERNMENT SHUDOWN!!
JANUARY 4, 2019 UPDATE: Major news services have all reported that the IRS, with only 12% of its workforce currently being able to work (without pay), will be able to receive tax filings as of the original late January, 2019, date, BUT no refunds can be processed nor a schedule of refunds be available until the Federal Goverment shutdown ends and IRS employees are allowed back to work on the task of processing the refunds to be sent out.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/millions-could-face-severe-cuts-to-food-stamps-due-to-government-shutdo...
https://www.businessinsider.com/irs-tax-refund-delay-partial-government-shutdown-2019-1?utm_source=f...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-delay-irs-tax-filing-and-refund-brings-chaos-just-b...
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/04/what-the-federal-shutdown-could-mean-for-tax-season.html
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/03/business/treasury-irs-shutdown-refund/index.html
What will this mean? Rushing to file is guaranteed to not speed your refund and if you jump the gun without your W-2, has a great chance of delaying because your data will be wrong and you will have to file a paper Amended 1040X which the shutdown IRS will not even touch for months.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO ALREADY JUMPED THE GUN IN JANUARY, 2019, AND ARE FACING A VERY BIG DELAY, PROBABLY GETTING A NASTY LETTER FROM THE IRS AND HAVING TO FILE 1040X
Don't be like these people who now got themselves a big headache:
2019 UPDATE OF "How do I fix this because I did not use my W-2 when it finally arrived?"
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4518511-i-accidentally-put-in-my-2017-w-2-instead-of-my-2018-w-2-h...
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4169486-can-i-change-my-return-if-i-already-submitted-it-and-you-r...
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4518463-what-do-i-do-if-i-entered-incorrect-tax-amounts-and-submit...
NO! You cannot change your filing once you hit "submit" and file
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4169486-can-i-change-my-return-if-i-already-submitted-it-and-you-r...
##############################################################################################
## Look Folks, I'm a retired Jake - firefighter - and not an employee of Intuit. I've got no ax in this argument -
## just telling you the simple truth. Some folks will file based on copying information from their last
## paycheck and they won't get into trouble, others and in fact many more others will find that they
## created trouble for themselves and also delayed their refund. So do as you want, I'm just here to try to help.
##
## SHORT ANSWER: NO! Don't use your paycheck stub instead of waiting a little time for your W-2!
##
## WHY? Because you won't get your refund any faster and probably slower!
##
##. >>> DON'T AGREE? SCROLL DOWN TO LINKS BELOW TO READ WHAT FOLKS WHO FILED
##. EARLY LAST YEAR THEN HAD TO SAY WHEN THEY CRIED HELP!
##############################################################################################
DISAGREE? DON'T LIKE SHORT ANSWER? READ ON! Hey, Look I know a lot of us want that refund as fast as it is possible to get it - and for good reason. But using your paycheck stub instead of the Form W-2 can cause you to overpay taxes, or delay your refund, or be the opportunity to have correspondence from the IRS. So the answer to "Can I use my last paycheck stub instead of W-2?" is "Do so at your own risk and you will likely regret it for any one of several reasons!"
=========>>>>>> Don't believe me? Scroll down to near bottom and read how others last year really fouled up their own taxes and refunds!!!!! Check out the links of posts from last year! Use a paycheck stub and risk serious problems - getting an audit/inquiry letter from the IRS - having your refund delayed - and having to file an Amended Return Form 1040X (& this is really a "Delight!")
If you want to use your last pay stub simply for estimation - that's fine, but if you want to use it to actually file your taxes -then that is certainly your choice but before you do that - please read what follows (REALLY!). Yes, I know it is a long answer but it covers the questions of 1) Filing without a W-2;
2) Tax Refund Schedule and
3) Earned Income or Additional Child Credit - delays in refund
4) W-2 Importing will be available sooner that the printed form - probably by second week of January.
5) TurboTax Advertising "Accepting Returns" as opposed to actually being processed6) Forms 1099-INT DIV and B for Interest Earned, Dividends Received, and any investments
While many folks really do need that refund money as soon as possible, and I understand that totally, be patient unless you want to become an expert in learning how to file an amended return - the Dreaded Form 1040X!
READ==>>: To prove the point, you can scroll down to near bottom and read just a few of the requests for help posted earlier - examples of TurboTax users who filed without a W-2 for last year, and then had to ask for help in filing an Amended Form 1040X which is printed, mailed, and almost guaranteed to be audited:
It is certainly up to you to do what you want when it comes to the subject of going forward with your last pay stub in hand or waiting the several days to several weeks to get your real actual Form W-2 , and the electronic download and import of the W-2 may be available much earlier than the paper form and it avoids any possible error!
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