I have an employer who is not contacting me back about missing w2. IRS sent me a transcript incomplete information. What do I do now?

[DMarkM1]

If possible and you haven't already, go to the place of employment to make the request.  Next, you need to contact the IRS and let them know you did not get a W2. Here is a link to the IRS page.

Wait a bit and check the online transcript again.  The tax filing deadline has been moved back to 17 May and you can get an extension to 15 Oct as well if needed.  

As a last resort you can file your return using your last paystub for the year 2020.  You will enter all the information you can from the paystub. 

• Earnings year to date box 3 and 5
• income tax withheld box 2
• social security withheld box 4
• medicare taxes withheld box 6
• the box 1 amount will be the earnings to date minus any pre-tax deductions (sometimes medical, 401K, etc).
• The box 1 amount also goes in the state wages box
• you will also find state tax withheld on your pay stub

After entering the W2 information, the follow on page for "Uncommon Situations" you need to select "Didn't get a W2" and go through that interview protocol.

[mikew003]

Hi, DMarkM1,thank you for the response.  To follow up:

If possible and you haven't already, go to the place of employment to make the request:

I moved out of state, so going in, while isn't entirely off the table, is absolute last resort. I did send a certificated letter with the new address about a month ago and was signed for per usps tracking. 

Next, you need to contact the IRS and let them know you did not get a W2:

I did that on Monday, was told w2 would be sent in 10 days.  Yesterday I received a letter from the IRS which looks like a transcript of all my w2s for 2020, which would be great, except it rounded the numbers to nearest dollar, and does not include state tax withholding, so, not really usable at this time. I was expecting a copy of the actual w2 from the company, which this was not. Is that something I should still be expecting?

Wait a bit and check the online transcript again. 

I checked last night, under wages transcript says no information available for 2020. How long does it usually take IRS to update that?

As a last resort you can file your return using your last paystub for the year 2020. 

I don't even have that. The company, which is a Jackson Hewitt, had an online portal as of Dec 2020 where I downloaded my 2019 info, then sometime this year they "switched vendors", completely locked us out of their old portal with no access to pay stubs, and they mailed my w2 to my old address, refusing to send me a copy until the original is returned from usps. That was almost 2 months ago. In hindsight that's my fault for not downloading everything I could, but I didn't think they would lock me out of historical information like that.  Is that something they can legally do? I thought IRS mandates required access to information for a certain # of years?

I am OK with the extension, but I'm getting a nice refund I could use along with the stimulus so the quicker the better. 

Thanks, 

[ReneeM7122]

Here is a link to the IRS that provides instructions about what to do when your employer won't give you a W-2.

[mikew003]

Thank you! 

I have already reached out to IRS following those protocols this past Monday, however there was no mention of any complaint being filed when I was told I should get the w2 within 10 days.  2 days later I got what appears to be a transcript from the IRS missing the state withholding information and rounding the dollar amounts to the nearest dollar, so not very helpful at this time. I was expecting a complete copy of the original w2, perhaps that is still on the way?  It's only been a couple days...

Tried calling IRS back this morning but automated system said too many callers, try again later and disconnected the call. 

Thanks

[DMarkM1 · Accepted solution]

You can use the IRS transcript with rounded numbers to file your federal tax returns.  Those are acceptable for W2 information. 

 As you mention the state information will not be on those transcripts.  Only the W2 from the employer will have the state information.

[mikew003]

Sounds good, thank you. Will have to get my state withholding some other way unless I end up getting the w2 it sounds like. 

Thanks!