Do you actually need a W-2 to file taxes??

Question

I mean technically, yes you are supposed to have it. But if you really wanted to, i.e. your employer is taking forever to mail it out, couldn't you just take info off your end-of-the-year pay stub and use that to file taxes? I'm sure H and R block wouldnt be too happy about it, but what if you did taxes yourself? Thoughts?

Answer 1

If you are filing a paper return, you are required to attach your W-2. If you file electronically, you don't need to send your W-2.

Can you go off of the numbers on your final pay stub? Sure. If you figured out the taxable wages number wrong, you will either be underreporting or overreporting your wages. If you overreport, no problem. File an amended return and get your extra refund back. However, if you underreported your wages, and it is past April 15 when you file your amended return, you will be charge late payment penalties and interest on the taxes due.

Answer 2

G-Man is almost right. By law, your employer must mail out your W-2 to you by January 31st. Your employer must mail out the government copy of your W-2 to the IRS by February 28.

You should be getting your W-2 in mid-January.

You can file your tax return without it but you just chance a mishap (whether your W-2 and last pay stub don't agree or some other freak coincidence).

If you mail your tax return, you should be enclosing a copy of your W-2 with it. If you Efile, then of course you don't enclose your W-2 BUT you have to fill out that part of the tax return as if it looked exactly like a W-2 meaning you have to put on your employer's Federal ID, State ID.

Answer 3

H&R Block will prepare your tax return without a W-2, using your last pay stub. However the IRS will not accept these returns until the middle of February.

If you have not received your W-2 by the middle of February you can file yourself without your W-2, using the substitute W-2 form.

Answer 4

All business (except the government) are required by law to issue tax documents by the end of February ... but most get them out in January. Do yourself a favor and wait for the statement ... you can't be absolutely certain that the number off your last check will be accurate ... there could be other deductions or unanticipated income or corrections or distribution codes that you'll need for the 1040. Worse case scenario if you do jump the gun ... you could file an amendment if you find out the numbers change .... but ... you could save yourself some work and headaches by just giving them the extra few weeks they need to get them out to you.

Answer 5

You should wait untill you have the documents you need. The IRS also gets a copy of everything you get. So, if something doesnt jive, they will kick it back to you in a hurry. Best to wait.

p.s. the "tax anticipation refund loan" from the big tax companies are a crock. they really charge you an insane interest rate. E-file with direct deposit if you are in a really big hurry. Read the news stories from the past year or so. H and R block i believe got in alot of trouble for hiding this fact from its clients. they were pretty much loan sharking.

Answer 6

I would say that you certainly do need your W2 to file your taxes.

Working in HR this is such a common question asked around this time of year.

By law, your W2 must be submitted to the IRS along with any other important statement that pertain to your taxes. They cannot except paychecks. This holds true if an accountant files for you or if you file your own taxes.

Check out this link: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw2w3.pdf

It is also the law for companines to mail their employee's W2 by January 31st as well.

I know it is rather cumersume but if we want our return we must follow the ruiles LOL.....

I wish it was different too.

Answer 7

Your employer is not allowed to take forever - there is a mechaism to complain if he does.

You need to mail a copy of it with your tax return.

You may find your W-2 disagrees with what you think your final pay stub says. The more complicated your pay stub is (such as 401-k, medical savings account, excess life insurance, transit checks, etc.), the more likely you may misrepresent what is actually income.

Answer 8

The IRS like it. And you can file an extension until it shows up.

All of which is stupid since the IRS already has a set of their copies anyway, and knows how much you made whether from a W-2 or a 1099. Go figure.

Maybe they should just invoice us every month, like the electric company does. "Last year this month you used XXX kilowatts."

Only this one would read, "This month you used 475 pork-barrel projects, supported 12.5 illegal aliens in prison, stopped 1.2 border crossings, and made 235 Senators, 4 corporations and controlling UN honchos richer . Thank you, and remit $_____ now."
"Or we will take your home and turn it into a Costco or Walmart."

Answer 9

Dude, the year doesn't even end for another few days, they're not going to mail them out right away. They have to mail them by January 31 by law so just hang on until mid February. Either way, if you file your taxes without the W2's the IRS will reject them.

Answer 10

touch your organization and request that your W-2 be despatched to you. in case you do no longer receive your W-2 by employing February fifteenth, you could touch the IRS for advice. Be arranged to grant all your own advice collectively with dates of employment so as that the IRS can touch the corporate and request the lacking W-2 for you. in case you nonetheless can not receive your W-2 in time to record your tax return, you could record a sort 4852 which will act instead W-2. even nonetheless, you will no longer have the skill to efile your federal return.