How to File for Taxes Without a W-2 Back
You need to file your taxes every year as long as you have made more than $400. Even if you do not receive a W-2 and you know that you are due one, you should file taxes. Some employers mistakenly mail the W-2 to a past residence or the W-2 is lost in the mail. Sometimes a company may go out of business and forget about sending the W-2 to employees. Learn how to file for taxes without a W-2 back so that you are compliant with the IRS and your state government.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Look at your last paycheck stub. It should have a year-to-date section where it shows how much your gross income was for the year, as well as how much federal, state, Social Security and Medicare you paid for the year. It will also show if you had any pretax deductions, such as a 401k. This will be the information you use to file your tax returns.
-
2
Subtract any pretax deductions, such as a 401k contributions. You will have to figure out your gross income for your federal and state tax liability. Take your year-to-date gross and subtract your pretax deduction amount. For instance, if your gross pay for the year is $23,000 and you have a total amount of $1,000 as a pretax deduction, figure $23,000 -- $1,000 = $22,000 for your gross income to use to calculate your federal and state taxes. If you have no pretax deductions, use the gross listed on your paycheck stub.
-
-
3
Make a copy of your paycheck stub to send in with your state and federal returns, if you are mailing them.
-
4
Write a letter to the IRS explaining that you did not receive a W-2 form from the employer. This is important to include with your tax return.
-
5
Find the employer's federal ID number and the state ID number in order to file your taxes online. Get this information either from a prior W-2 form, or you can call the IRS and talk to an agent to request the company Federal ID number.
-
6
E-file your taxes online. There will be a section that asks if you received a W-2, a corrected W-2 or none at all from the employer. Check that you did not receive one.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Try to find the Federal ID number from another long-time employee that has a W-2 with the number on it.
Do not avoid filing because you did not receive a W-2 form. You will be in trouble with the IRS if an audit occurs.
