Yes, having $0 in Box 1 of your W-2 may cause a problem when e-filing your tax return. Box 1 is crucial because it includes your wages, tips, and other compensation that are taxable for federal income tax purposes
Here are some steps you can take:
- Contact Your Employer: Verify with your employer if the W-2 is correct. They may need to issue a corrected W-2 if there was an error.
- Check for Special Circumstances: Sometimes, Box 1 might be $0 due to all income being allocated to pre-tax benefits, but this is uncommon
- Manual Entry: TurboTax may flag the $0 entry, then you will need to print and mail your return.