If you are missing your w-2 you could call the IRS and inform them that you are missing your w-2. Before calling them make sure you contact your employer. If they don’t respond then make the call to the IRS. Have your information available such as your Social Security number to verify your identity. They may ask you about your previous filing status. Even if you don’t know it that would not stop the conversation. At least you should provide them with Social Security, your address and possibly your birth date.

Can I Use Pay Stub Information If I don’t Have MY W-2?

If you are about to file and you still don’t have your w-2 you may file a substitute for w-2 form 4852. Basically you will be filling out the information that is normally on the w-2 which is your gross wages and your tax withholdings. The IRS may be able to give you the information possibly after mid-February. But let us assume that they don’t have this information recorded yet because sometimes they don’t have it until May of each year, then you can to the best of your knowledge estimate your YTD income and your withholdings. Your last pay stub may have this cumulative information.

File Substitute for W-2

File the tax return with this information on form 4852 which is the substitute for the w-2. Suppose that you discovered that your information is substantially inaccurate. You may then file an amended tax return form 1040 X. Amended returns are a nuisance. I would suggest that if the information that you submitted originally needs just a minor correction that you don’t worry about it. Just when you receive an IRS notice telling you that your information is not correct agree to whatever information they have if theirs is accurate. Thus you can save the expensive amended return fees.

File an Extension of Time

Alternatively you can file an extension of time on April 15 until the IRS has the accurate information available to you. Make sure to send the IRS any payments that you may know that you are going to owe. Extension of filing is not an extension of payments. You have six months from April 15 to meet the final filing deadline of October 15 for the year.

Summary: If you cannot get your w-2 you can file a substitute for w-2 form 4852.