| As you know, you need your W-2 in hand if you are | | | | social security number; an estimate of how long you |
| going to file your individual tax return. While this is not | | | | have worked for your employer, as well as what you |
| usually a problem, some people misplace it for one | | | | earned the past year. You can base this information |
| reason or the next and find themselves in trouble. | | | | on your final pay stub of the previous year. |
| Employers usually have until early February to provide | | | | 3. File your return. Even if you do not receive your |
| this form to all qualified employees. But if you are | | | | W-2 in time you still need to file your return. To do this, |
| saying I have "yet to receive my W2," then you should | | | | you can use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, |
| follow these steps: | | | | Wage, and Tax Statement. Of course, your |
| | | | information may not be 100 percent accurate because |
| 1. Get in touch with your employer. Before you jump | | | | you will have to estimate both your withholding and |
| the gun you should contact your employer and ask | | | | income. Since this information may not be 100 percent |
| them when it was mailed. If it was mailed there is a | | | | accurate, processing could take a bit longer. |
| chance that it could have been returned due to a | | | | 4. When you receive your W-2 you will want to file |
| wrong address. Once you speak with your employer | | | | Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax |
| be sure to leave enough time for them to reissue a | | | | Return. If the information on your W-2 is different than |
| replacement. | | | | what you reported on Form 4852, then this is a |
| 2. If you do not receive your W-2 by mid-February, it is | | | | necessary step. |
| time to get in touch with the IRS. Before you call, have | | | | Even if you are missing your W-2, you can still file your |
| the following information on hand: the name and | | | | final individual tax return. |
| address of your employer; your name, address, and | | | | |