It almost seems impossible to file taxes without a w2 form or pay stub. This may happen because we’re used to the W2 form generator most of the time. Well, it might not be with everyone that they have W2 forms or pay stubs ready for filing taxes as the holiday season waves off.
Some employees haven’t received w2 while others may be struggling with a lost pay stub. Before you turn your calendar to February, you should be assured of certain things. Especially, employers are supposed to provide W2 forms to their employees and copies of them to the IRS. However, it is possible that employers fail to meet these legal requirements and employees may face delays in filing taxes.
In this blog, we’ll discuss some sensitive issues faced by employees. Also, we’ll share what you should do as an employee who hasn’t received a w2. Let’s go!
First things first – Can you file taxes without a W2?
No, you cannot file your taxes without a W2. If you don’t have this form on hand then you should have pay stubs at least. How would you provide your evidence of income in absence of these legal documents?
Firstly, you’re supposed to reach out to your employer for W2. If your employer fails to provide W2 then you may reach out to IRS. Let us discuss them one by one.
Related Article: Proof of Income For Self Employed
Is your employer obligated to provide a W2?
Yes, the IRS requires all employers to create W2 forms and dispatch them to the employees respectively before February 1 every year. Similar copies are also supposed to be sent to the IRS as well as Social Security Administration.
This simply means that an employee can get back to the employer if he hasn’t received the W2. Just head over to the HR department and verify that the address and contact details are mentioned accurately. In case your address is changed then you can request modifications.
However, if the business is closed and you’re seeking W2 from your previous employer then it can arrange W2s via your former payroll provider.
What if the employer has already sent w2 but has not received it at your end?
Well, you should not always blame your employer for not sending you documents timely. What if there is a mistake on your end? Your employer may create a paystub and W2 & dispatches sincerely but your Email address is incorrect. So, it is also your responsibility to check that the details are mentioned properly.
If you’re seeking W2 from your current employer then you may ask them to send a copy of the W2 as you lost the previous one. On the contrary, if the lost W2 is from your previous employer then you may have to pay nominal fees for the copy.
Related Article: How To File Taxes Without a W2?
Getting W2 from the IRS
As mentioned above, if you fail to arrange a W2 form from your current or previous employer, IRS can help you out. You can call on 800.829.1040 and provide your employee information. They’ll also ask you for employer details to fetch the respective W2 form for you. It may happen that the employer hasn’t provided tax information to you but IRS has received it beforehand.
Your employer sends your W2 copies to multiple places including the Social Security Administration. Once it is processed by the Social Security Administration, it is received by the IRS for records and processing. So, you can get your W2 via IRS.
Final Lines
We hope you’ve got the answer to “How to file taxes without W2 or pay stub?” now. So, don’t worry if you don’t have your W2 or paystub on hand. You now know how to get it directly and indirectly. Make sure to make the most out of this tax season.
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