You’re filing your tax return at the last minute. You gather all of your documents, but you notice that your W2 form is missing.
The W2 shows your main source of income. You cannot file your tax return without it. Moreover, you only have two days left to file your taxes. You wonder if your employer sent it to the wrong address.
What do you do?
File your tax return even if you haven’t received it. With that, contact your employer to see if human resources or payroll can send it to you. If your employer can’t provide it, contact the IRS immediately.
They might also provide the W2 you need digitally. This article will show you how to get a copy of your W2 online without hassle. Read on if you wish to get your W2 quickly.
Contact Your Employer:
The best place to get your W2 is from the payroll department. However, you can also use human resources as a guide.
If your former employer is out of business, the people who worked in the payroll department could still send it. Also, ask your employer if the company sent it to the wrong address.
Additionally, confirm the appropriate address with the higher-ups. Further, ask them if they can send your W2 digitally to save time.
The IRS Route:
The IRS can also send your W2 online. Go to the official IRS website to submit an online request. However, ensure that you have the following information before contacting the IRS:
- Employment Dates
- SSN
- Address
- Appropriate estimate of income and/or wages
From there, the IRS can send your W2 with ease. If you received no W2 whatsoever from your employer, you can use Form 4852 to replace it. Use your pay stub information to fill out Form 4852.
If your W2 form gets lost, contact the IRS to note the issue. A lost W2 form can result in someone filing in your name or stealing your personal information. Contacting the IRS will alert them in case any irregularities arise.
Contact the SSA:
Your employer first sends your W2 to the Social Security Administration (SSA). After the SSA processes your W2, officials send it to the IRS. Therefore, you can also get your tax records from the SSA if you’re unable to get it from your employer or the IRS.
- Note: Getting your W2 from the SSA is usually free. However, you’ll face a $86 charge if you need it for purposes not related to your SSN. Filing a state or federal return falls under the non-related category.
If you need to contact the SSA about your W2, you’ll need the same info as the IRS would need, such as your SSN and your address.
What if I Cannot Get My W2 in Time?
If all else has failed, you can file an extension with the IRS. You can also note that you lost your W2. Read this article to discover other alternatives.
How to Get a Copy of Your W2 Online:
If you need to know how to get a copy of your W2 online, contact your employer first. There is a chance that your employer forgot to mail it. The IRS and the SSN are your next best alternatives.
Filing your tax return without your W2 is not a major issue.
If you cannot pay your taxes on time, you have options at your disposal. For more information on what to do if you can’t pay your taxes, visit this page to weigh your alternatives.
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