How to Acquire a Missing W-2

The law states that your employer must mail your W-2 form by January 31. You should receive the form within two weeks, but if you don't have your form by mid-February, or lost the original W-2, there are steps you can take to get it by tax time. Additionally, if your employer has gone out of business, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will help you get a new W-2 or you may file a substitute tax form until the problem is resolved.

Instructions

1. Call your employer's payroll office or the human resources department. Ask if your W-2 has been sent and verify that the mailing address they have on file is correct. If they claim to have sent the form, ask for a duplicate copy, as the first may have been lost in the mail.

2. Check with your post office. This tactic might help if you recently relocated. Ask the post office if it is holding any mail for you and verify it is forwarding mail to the correct address.

3. Notify the IRS. If you are unable to get your W-2 from an employer, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. Gather all the information you can on your employer, including the company name, address, phone number and the employer identification number. Have your last pay stub from the company handy as it contains important information needed for filing, such as how much you earned, taxes withheld and pension contributions. The IRS will then contact the company on your behalf, requesting a W-2.

4. File your taxes on time, even if you do not receive your W-2. Ask the IRS to send you the W-2 substitution Form 4852, or download the form via at irs.gov. You will need to input as much of the information you have regarding your income for the previous year and your withholding tax. Your last pay stub will have all this information, but if you don't have the pay stub and your employer has gone out of business, checking your banking history for payroll deposits might prove useful.

5. Amend your tax return if you receive the W-2 after you have already filed via Form 4852. It doesn't happen often, but a missing W-2 occasionally shows up after the April 15 tax deadline. If any information you submitted via Form 4852 differs from your W-2, have the IRS mail you an amendment tax form. Correct the information, then return the form with your W-2 attached.

Tips & Warnings

• You tax return may be delayed if you file your taxes without an original W-2.

• Your employer may charge a replacement fee for your W-2 if you lost yours.

• Late or missing W-2 forms do not exempt you from filing taxes on time.

References

• The Motley Fool Investing Community: Missing Your W-2 Form?
• Bankrate: What to Do if you Don't Get Your W-2

Resources

• IRS: W-2 Substitution Tax Form 4852