Lost a W-2!!

[Dr Trek 1]

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I lost a W-2 and do not have time to get another copy from my employer. I am filing via TurboTax online. It's a relatively small income from that W-2, probably under $400. What should I do??

 

[surg]

I lost a W-2 and do not have time to get another copy from my employer. I am filing via TurboTax online. It's a relatively small income from that W-2, probably under $400. What should I do??

You absolutely need it. Do you have any old pay stubs? If so, you can find the EIN (Employer ID number) on it and for many large employers, Turbotax can download the info and re-create your W-2.

If you can't do that, guesstimate your income from it, ask for the W-2 duplicate from your employer, and file for the extension on filing your taxes. You still have to send in a check for any money that you think you are going to owe, but as long as you get it right (within a small amount) you will be ok with no penalties.

 

[joe6102]

i don't think you have to file with <$400 of income. but if you paid some and you want a refund, then you have to file to get it.

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96623,00.html

 

[xanthines]

Actually, the easiest thing to do (if you have it) is to photocopy your last paystub of the year or whatever they gave you with your check and just include that with a paper version of your taxes. This is all dependant upon your pay stub or receipt or whatever having good information on it. I lost a W2 one time and used my last paystub (eg, dec 31st) and everything was fine. That was 5 years ago (yes, I'm old).

Alternatively, you may be able to ask the IRS for a replacement W2 (google it) or, ask whoever paid you to issue another one.

Good luck!

-X

 

[Doctor Bagel]

If you're filing online, you don't actually submit a paper W2, so you're fine on that end. Still, contact the employer and ask for a replacement. They should be able to get that to you in about a week or so (depending on how efficient they are). We get requests for replacement W2s all the time -- it happens. Before filing, I'm guessing you can probably call the payroll department for the employer to verify the information.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Thanks for your input, everyone.

I am not really worried since I can just request an extension. However, since I made under $350 from this employer this year (and had no taxes of any type withheld) would they audit me if I didn't report it?

Thanks.

 

[surg]

Assuming that you otherwise need to pay taxes, the short answer is I would expect at least a line-item audit. The IRS is very good at matching paper submitted by employers to employees. Assuming that the company submitted the W-2, if you didn't report the income you can expect an inquiring letter. (Heck, if you mis-report if by $1 you can probably expect a letter of correction)

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Well here is my latest dilemma. I called the employer for a replacement W-2. Turns out the only woman who can issue them is on vacation and will not be back until after April 17th. So, do I 1) file the replacement W-2 form with the IRS even though I don't have any accurate record of how much I made from that employer last year or 2) file for an extension?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Moxxie]

Well here is my latest dilemma. I called the employer for a replacement W-2. Turns out the only woman who can issue them is on vacation and will not be back until after April 17th. So, do I 1) file the replacement W-2 form with the IRS even though I don't have any accurate record of how much I made from that employer last year or 2) file for an extension?

Thanks for any input.

I think you're going to have to file for an extension. But you should also bug your employer - they should be able to get the W2 to you somehow (even if the person that normally issues them is on vacation, shouldn't someone be covering for her?)

I hope that everything works out OK! I remember the years when I had 4 W2s and my husband had another 4 or 5. It really sucked.

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Hey,

Thanks for your reply. I learned about an "amended return" and a few people have told me that would be my best bet. So I'm simply going to file online, then post April 17th file an amended return with the new W-2. Hopefully that should work. Anyone else hear of doing this? Way too much of a hassel to file for an extension.

Thanks

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Hey,

Thanks for your reply. I learned about an "amended return" and a few people have told me that would be my best bet. So I'm simply going to file online, then post April 17th file an amended return with the new W-2. Hopefully that should work. Anyone else hear of doing this? Way too much of a hassel to file for an extension.

Thanks

If you want advice from a tax accountant (in my pre-pre-med life)...

I would *not* do this - some things on a return you can estimate, but not W-2 income. You can request an extension by calling an IRS phone number using a touch-tone phone. The IRS expects what you report as W-2 income to match what the employer sent exactly. I would not recommend estimating a W-2, even if you're just off by a dollar. You could be getting computer-generated notices for months - and, by the way, you could be assessed a penalty. Filing an amended return won't necessarily get you off the hook for the penalty - amended returns are for corrections of errors found after filing, not for corrections of estimates. Not to get on a soapbox, but when you fiile your return with your electronic signature you are attesting that the information is correct to the best of your knowledge - which in this case would not be true. W-2 matching (checking what you reported against what the employer reported) is done automatically by computer and the chances you'll get snagged are very high. I know it sounds silly for such a small amount, but mis-match letters are all done by computer and they'll just keep coming...

Getting an extension is not a hassle - amended returns *are* a big hassle for the IRS, and you're exposing yourself to an unnecessary audit risk. Just my .02... don't mean to sound preachy, but I hope to help you to avoid a fair amount of unnecessary trouble. 🙂