Should I report w-2c with zero wages？

[azhen]

My former employer mistakenly issued me a paycheck for a period when I was no longer employed there. Upon receiving my W-2, I noticed the error. After reaching out to them, they provided me with a corrected W-2(C) form, indicating zero amounts. I have yet to file my return. In this situation, should I still report this corrected W-2(C)?

[BillM223]

The first W-2 reported something like January to June, and the corrected W-2 covered January to May? If so, how did the corrected W-2 have zeroes? I don't understand how the corrected W-2 can has zeroes, except in rare cases like this w-2C covering only the first week or two of this year.

I am given to understand that you can't e-file a return with a W-2 with zero Wages. So perhaps some others have some good thoughts about this.

[azhen]

Thank you for responding. I rescinded my return offer, but unfortunately, it was processed as an immediate termination effective on the hire date. Then I erroneously received one bi-weekly paycheck. 

I tried efile but it seems that the w-2 for zero wages is not accepted. In this case, can I only file the paper tax return?

[BillM223]

Ah, so this was a second W-2 that got corrected to the point that it didn't work any more.

Well, you have two choices:

1. Paper file as you said.

2. Remove the W-2C that has the zero Wages. This may cause the IRS to send you a letter pointing out that your return is missing a W-2. So you should be prepared in this case to explain to the IRS office who sent you the letter what happened along with a copy of the W-2C.

It's advantageous that nothing on the W-2C will affect your taxes.

Some people will do anything to avoid letters from the IRS (or any contact); others find that the people in the IRS who issue these letters just want to solve the problem. So it's up to you.