Gathering all of your tax varieties is essential to submitting an correct revenue tax return. However what occurs when the tax deadline is approaching, and a few tax paperwork, similar to your Kind W-2, are lacking? Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know and the steps it’s best to take to make sure you file on time.
When ought to I obtain my Kind W-2?
Throughout tax season, it’s best to obtain IRS Kind W-2, Wage and Tax Assertion, by Jan. 31. You’ll obtain separate W-2 varieties from every employer you labored for throughout the 12 months.
Kind W-2 requires employers to indicate the whole revenue they paid you and the whole taxes they withheld. This info is vital to getting ready your federal tax return, and your employer also needs to present the identical info to the Inside Income Service (IRS).
Be aware: This doesn’t apply to self-employed freelance employees or impartial contractors. As an alternative, it’s best to obtain Kind 1099-NEC from any shoppers that paid you greater than $600 throughout the tax 12 months.
What if I didn’t obtain Kind W-2 from my employer?
It’s often finest to attend till mid-February earlier than taking any motion to trace down your W-2, simply to ensure it hasn’t merely been delayed within the mail. Nonetheless, if the top of February rolls round and also you’re nonetheless ready for a lacking kind, it’s time to succeed in out to your employer.
Step 1: Contact your employer.
Step one in monitoring down your lacking kind is to contact your employer’s human sources division and request a duplicate of your W-2 kind. Ensure that to substantiate that they’ve your present mailing deal with, particularly when you’ve got lately moved.
Step 2: Contact the IRS.
Should you nonetheless haven’t acquired a duplicate of Kind W-2 by the top of February, you possibly can name the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040 for assist or go to an IRS Taxpayer Help Heart (TAC). All TACs function by appointment solely.
Be ready to present the IRS the next info:
- Your identify, deal with with zip code, Social Safety quantity, and telephone quantity
- Your employer’s identify, deal with, and telephone quantity
- Your dates of employment for this employer
The IRS will then contact your employer and inform them to ship you a Kind W-2, reminding them of their obligations and the penalties in the event that they don’t comply.
Step 3: File your tax return.
Whether or not you owe extra taxes or are due a tax refund, it’s best to all the time file your tax return on time even when you’ve got incomplete info attributable to lacking tax varieties.
If, regardless of all efforts, your Kind W-2 remains to be lacking in April, file Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, along with your tax return. TaxAct® can help you do that in the event you e-file with us. Use the knowledge out of your last pay stub to fill out this kind. Should you don’t have your final pay stub, simply attempt to estimate the knowledge as finest as you possibly can.
You can too request extra time to file your federal revenue tax return by submitting Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File. Remember the fact that even when the IRS grants you a tax extension, you continue to must pay any taxes you owe by the tax submitting deadline (usually April 15).
What if I acquired my lacking W-2 after submitting my return?
Typically, your long-lost Kind W-2 reveals up in your mailbox or inbox after you’ve already filed. If this occurs and the knowledge on the shape differs from the knowledge you reported whenever you filed, chances are you’ll must file an amended tax return. Remember the fact that you would possibly owe roughly tax relying on what your preliminary estimation was. To amend your return, you’ll want to make use of Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.