Is it possible to file your taxes with only a W2 Summary from your workplace?

[glinez]

My employer mailed my W2 to an old address and it hasn't been returned. They printed me a w2 Summary for 2016.

[GeoffreyG · Accepted solution]

Yes, it possible to file your tax return using just a W-2 summary.  But please read the rest of this answer for a full discussion of the subject.

If the W-2 summary you now have contains all of the important information that a complete and original W-2 has, such as individual dollar amounts and letter codes for all of the usual W-2 boxes, 1 through 20 (as applicable), then you will be able to use this summary sheet just as if you would if you had the original W-2 right in front of you.

If you are e-filing, rather than filing by paper in the traditional manner, the IRS will never need to see your actual W-2.  Therefore, an accurate and detailed summary will be more than satisfactory.  If this description fits you, then simply complete and e-file your tax return, as normal, in TurboTax -- you will be fine, and you can stop reading here.

On the other hand, if the W-2 summary sheet is missing critical information, such as boxes / lines for the amount of federal and / or state income taxes withheld, then you'll need to at least try to get a replacement W-2 (not simply a summary) according to the following IRS process.

Federal law says that your employer has until the end of January to mail your W-2 to you.  As the employee, you are then required to wait at least until February 15th to contact the IRS and ask for permission to file without a normal W-2 (or full information that can extract from a summary sheet).  You will be asked by the IRS to attempt to contact your employer again and ask about mailing an accurate duplicate of the original W-2 statement.

After that time, and after receiving permission from the IRS by telephone, you can file your tax return using your paycheck stubs, W-2 summary sheet, or other (incomplete) documentation as a "best guess" estimate.

The formal IRS procedure and sequence of events is outlined here, at the following webpages:

https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/missing-your-w2-here-is-what-to-do

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901028-what-if-it-s-february-but-i-still-don-t-have-my-w-2


Please also know that if you do end up needing to prepare a Form 4852 (Substitute W-2 Statement), as approved by the IRS, that TurboTax contains this tax form within the software program.

Thank you for asking this important question.