How to Obtain Copy of W2?

[Yardley CPA]

MFJ couple.  Husband is having difficulty obtaining a copy of his W2.  He worked for a company from January through March, 2020.  He never received his W2 and has been unsuccessful in  contacting them after repeated attempts...and those attempts continue.  Would the IRS or the State's Department of Labor be options for him to reach out to?  

[ILLMAS]

Try requesting a transcript but it’s probably too early for anything to be available, maybe wait until May.

[Pacun]

The IRS can send him a copy after August 1st or 31st... I don't remember exactly but IT IS August.

[Gail in Virginia]

Does he have a copy of his last paystub or other information that you can use to prepare a substitute W2?  Form 4852, I believe. 

[jklcpa]

From the IRS later in the year, as others have said.  The problem with getting it from IRS is that it will not show the state wages or state withholding, so you'll still have to obtain that from somewhere else.

[Pacun]

3 minutes ago, Gail in Virginia said:

Does he have a copy of his last paystub or other information that you can use to prepare a substitute W2?  Form 4852, I believe. 

I think you have to paper file if you use the last paycheck stub. I hope I am wrong because paper filing means that every month for the next 12 months you will be getting calls from the tax payer asking you about the status.

 

[Gail in Virginia]

I have not done a substitute W2 for a while, so I am not sure, but I think if you have enough information to complete the employer EIN, etc. you can electronically file but not until later in the filing season (March 15 and after, maybe?).  But like i said, it has been a while.

[Gail in Virginia]

From IRS website:

Authorized IRS e-file Providers are prohibited from submitting electronic returns to the IRS prior to the receipt of all Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R from the taxpayer.

If the taxpayer is unable to secure and provide a correct Form W-2, W-2G, or 1099-R, the return may be electronically filed after Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc. is completed in accordance with the use of that form. This is the only time information from Pay stubs or Leave and Earning Statements (LES) is allowed.