***The below guidelines are applicable if you have not yet received your original W2 or a corrected W2 has not yet been received by the tax filing deadline.
Most employers would have already mailed out W2 forms to their employees. If your employer is out of business or if you did not receive your W2 yet, you may be concerned about the upcoming tax deadline. There is no need to panic as likely there is some information that you may be able to obtain from IRS until you receive the final document.
The following are the general guidelines to be followed. Contact a tax professional for further queries.
- Call the taxpayer assistance line at 800-829-1040.
- Provide the following information: your employer’s name, address, city, phone, Employer Identification number if available from your past W2. This is required even if your employer has gone out of business.
- Your name, address, phone, and social security number.
- Your annual gross salary and if you have any information on taxes withheld from your federal wages.
- Dates you were employed by the employer.
Here’s what will happen next
IRS will contact the employer and request them to issue a W2 or a corrected W2 ( if it requires corrections).
If you still do not receive your W2 by the tax filing deadline, follow the steps below
- Request form 4506-T by calling IRS phone 800-829-1040. This will have the W2 transcripts reported by your employer.
- Request form 4852 from the IRS. Form 4852 is the substitute W2.
- You are required to estimate your taxes and pay even if you do not receive W2.
- Once the actual W2 is received, you are then required to amend the tax returns if there is any variance from original tax returns.
Additional resources and links
Forms and instructions for form 4506-T
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4506-t-request-for-transcript-of-tax-return
Forms and instructions for form 4852
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4852