My former employer did not include the "Employer's state ID number" for Montana on my W2. He refuses to return my calls. I can't leave that area blank, what should I do?

[lightweaponx]

The IRS can only send him a letter and I'd like to avoid paper filing with a form 4852 due to having other W2's that were all electronic.

[LeticiaF1]

If you worked for them in a previous year, the state ID number will be in your previous year W2 Form.  Another option would be to contact your old coworkers and get the number from them. 

If you cannot get the number, since you have your Form W2, you could file your returns by mailing.  To print and file the return follow the steps below:

1. Open your return in TurboTax Online
2. Select File in the menu.
3. You'll see 3 steps. Complete Steps 1 and 2 if you haven’t already, then select Start or Revisit next to Step 3.
4. On the We've determined the easiest way to file your taxes screen, select Change next to the return you want to file by mail, and select File by mail on the next screen. Be sure to Save.
   • If the File by mail option isn’t available, you probably previously selected to pay your TurboTax fees through your tax refund. To file by mail, you’ll need to instead pay with a credit or debit card. Here’s how to change your payment method from pay by refund, to pay by credit or debit card. Once you change your payment method, you'll see the File by mail option as described above. Select this and continue to the next step.
   • Note: You’ll need to pay any tax balance due by check when you file by mail.
5. Update the payment method for your TurboTax fees for all of the tax returns you wish to file by mail.
6. Follow the instructions to print your return(s). If you haven't already paid any outstanding TurboTax fees, you'll be prompted to do so before you can print.

If you just need the mailing address: See the filing instructions document that prints out with the paper copy of your return. You'll see the mailing address in those instructions. For your federal return, you can also look it up at this IRS website.

[lightweaponx]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. In this case I only worked for this employer for a few months and there were no other employees. 

I've seen some other forums indicate generic numbers can be used for the State ID as long as it follows the standard set by the state but I wasn't sure in that works for Montana. It seems like paper filing might be the only option which is unfortunate since it's 2024 and I don't know people that still use home printers.  

[DMarkM1]

Before going the paper route, use the federal ID number from that W2.  Enter it in the state ID box without any spaces or dashes.