- The IRS suggests that taxpayers contact their employers to request a copy of their W-2 before contacting the IRS. If you've already contacted your employer and allowed a reasonable time to receive the W-2 by mail but still haven't received your W-2 by Feb. 14, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 for assistance. When you call, have your name, phone number, Social Security number, and phone number available. In addition, you must have your employer's name, city and state, your dates of employment, and an estimate of how much you earned during your tenure. Once received, the IRS will mail a notice to your employer outlining its responsibility to provide you with a W-2. The IRS will send you a copy of form 4852 that you will use to file your return in the event that your employer fails to send your W-2.
- Many employers outsource their W-2 responsibilities to online firms such as W-2Express. These companies automate the W-2 process and allow you to print your original W-2 from your home as well as request corrections to an existing W-2. Before you contact the IRS, phone your human resources department to determine if it outsourced the distribution of employee W-2s.
- If you do not receive your W-2 in time to file, you must estimate your wages and tax withheld using form 4852. The best method for estimating your wages and federal tax withheld is to reference your pay stubs and make the appropriate calculation. Attach form 4852 to your return and allow the time frame for processing. If, after you've already filed your return, you receive your W-2 and the amounts are different than the ones you entered on your return, file an amended return using form 1040X to make the necessary changes. The processing time for an amended return is 8-12 weeks and it can only be filed by mail.