Missing your W-2? Have a Substitute W-2 (Form 4852)?

If you haven't received your Form W-2, start by contacting your employer. They can tell you whether the form was mailed and confirm that they have your current address on file.

Sometimes a W-2 is delayed because:

  • It was mailed to an incorrect or outdated address.
  • It was returned to the employer as undeliverable.
  • There was an administrative delay in issuing the form.
After speaking with your employer, allow a reasonable amount of time for them to resend or provide a copy of the W-2.

Still Missing Your W-2 After February 15?

If you still haven't received your Form W-2 by February 15, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040.

Be prepared to provide:

  • Your employer's name, address, city, state, and ZIP code
  • Your name, address, Social Security number, city, state, and ZIP code
  • An estimate of your wages and federal income tax withholding based on your final pay stub or year-to-date earnings statement
The IRS may contact your employer and request that a copy of the W-2 be provided to you.

Misplaced your W-2?

If you misplaced your W-2, contact your employer. Your employer can replace the lost form with a “reissued statement.” Be aware that your employer is allowed to charge you a fee for providing you with a new W-2.

Additionally, the IRS has announced a copy of your federal W-2 should be available in your IRS Online Account. 

Do I Still Need to File My Tax Return on Time?

Yes. Even if your W-2 hasn't arrived, you're still responsible for filing your tax return by the applicable deadline.

If you cannot obtain the W-2 in time to file, you can use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. This form allows you to estimate your income and withholding information as accurately as possible using records such as:

 

  • Your final pay stub for the year
  • Year-to-date payroll reports
  • Leave and earnings statements
Keep in mind that filing with Form 4852 may delay the processing of your return or any expected refund while the IRS verifies the information.

How Do I Enter Form 4852 in the Program?

To enter Form 4852 within the program go to: 

  • Federal Section
  • Income (Select My Forms)
  • W-2 - Wages and tax statement
  • Add/Edit your W-2
At the top of the W-2 entry screen, check the box indicating that you're using a Substitute W-2 (Form 4852).
The program will generate Form 4852 and include it in the PDF copy of your tax return.
 

What Happens If I Receive a W-2 or Corrected W-2 After Filing?

Sometimes taxpayers receive their original Form W-2 or a corrected Form W-2C after filing a return using Form 4852.

If the information on the newly received form is different from what you reported, you'll generally need to amend your federal tax return.

To correct the return, file:

  • Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
An amended return allows you to update your income, withholding, and any tax calculations affected by the corrected information.

Additional Resources

The following IRS forms and instructions are available directly from IRS.gov:
You can also request forms by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
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