I am missing a W-2

What to Do? 

Most of the time you get all your documents, but there is that one time when you don't.  There is no reason to panic but you should take proactive measures to get all the documents to file your 2011 tax return.  Generally, you should receive an IRS Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from each of your employers by Jan. 31, 2012, but you are in February 2012 and you are mising one or two W-2s. It happens.

The IRS suggest you do the following steps:
1. Contact your employer ASP.

• Inquire if and when the W-2 was mailed.
• If it was mailed, it may have been returned to the employer because of an incorrect or incomplete address.
• Update your address with your employer and allow a reasonable amount of time for them to resend or issue a corrected W-2.

2. Contact the IRS If you do not receive your W-2 by Feb. 14, 2012.

• Call the IRS for assistance at 800-829-1040.
• Have your name, address, Social Security number, phone number with you when you are ready to call.
• Also, provide the IRS with the following information:
• Employer’s name,
• Employers address
• Employer phone number
• Dates of employment
• Provide an estimate of the wages you earned,
• The federal income tax withheld, 
• The estimate should be based on year-to-date information from your final pay stub or leave-and-earnings statement, if possible.

3. File an extension your return (3.1) or File a return along with Form 4852 (3.2) Even with the missing W-2, you must either file your tax return or request an extension to file. However, all taxes due should be paid if you do not want to pay a possible penalty.

1. Request an extension (Form 4868) to file by April 17, 2012.  (Personal Preference not an advise- I would do all calculations to see if I owe any additional taxes, paid them, and file an automatic extension. You must consult your tax advisor.)  
2. Alternatively to the step above, you may use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Attach Form 4852 to the return, estimating income and withholding taxes as accurately as possible. In this scenario, there may be a delay in any refund due while the information is verified. 
1. If your estimated tax information provided was not accurate, then you must File a Form 1040X (i.e, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) to correct the previously file tax return. 
2. On occasion, you may receive your missing W-2 after you file your return using Form 4852, and the information may be different from what you reported on step 3.2, above. 

Source: http://www.irs.gov/  Form 4852, Form 1040X and instructions are available on this website or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

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IRS Tax Tips for Self Employed individuals

Key points the IRS would like you to know about self-employment and self- employment taxes:

Who is considered to be Self-employed
If you work for yourself, as an independent contractor, or you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, you are generally considered to be self-employed.

Part-time or Full-time work

Self-employment can include work in addition to your regular full-time business activities, such as part-time work you do at home or in addition to your regular job.

Self-Employment Tax

If you are self-employed you generally have to pay self-employment tax as well as income tax. Self-employment tax is a Social Security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is similar to the Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners. You figure self-employment tax using a Form 1040 Schedule SE. Also, you can deduct half of your self-employment tax in figuring your adjusted gross income.

Where you are required to report your Income and expenses?

You file an IRS Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, or C-EZ, Net Profit from Business, with your Form 1040.

Estimated Tax PaymentsIf you are self-employed you may have to make estimated tax payments. This applies even if you also have a full-time or part-time job and your employer withholds taxes from your wages. Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax on net income that is not subject to withholding. If you fail to make quarterly payments you may be penalized for underpayment at the end of the tax year.

Cost of running your Business

You can deduct the costs of running your business. Some cost will be capitalized, others deducted in its entirety depending on many factors.  Some business expenses are clasiffyed as part of the cost of goods sold, report as inventory and/or as an asset and portion of these could be expensed in the current year.

What determine its deductibility?

For a cost of running a business be deductible, the business expense must be both ordinary and necessary in carry on a business. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your field of business. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your business. An expense does not have to be indispensable to be considered necessary.

Source of additonal information:

Contact your CPA, and/or the Self-employment Tax Center, IRS Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses and Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, available at www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS forms and publications order line at 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

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Do you have to repay The First-Time Homebuyer Credit?

Reminders Letters

If you received the tax credit and do not make yearly payments you will receive a letter from the IRS asking you to make the required payment.  These letters are called "Reminders Letters".  In the past the IRS was mailing letters to both the taxpayers who pay their obligation and does that forgot to pay.  The IRS will no longer mail you a reminder letter if you are paying on time, April 15 or before.

Taxpayers Affected

If you bought a home in 2008 and claimed the First-Time Homebuyer Credit, the credit is similar to a no-interest loan and must be repaid in 15 equal annual installments that began with your 2010 return. Also, anyone who sold their home, or stopped using it as their main home, may have to repay the entire credit whether their home was purchased in 2008, 2009 or 2010. 

IRS Credit Lookup Tool 

The IRS has an online lookup tool on the IRS website to check your repayment obligation. To access the tool you will need: your Social Security number, date of birth and complete address. If you file a joint return, you’ll only be able to access your portion of the First-Time Homebuyer Credit account information.  The tool will show the original amount of the credit, annual repayment amounts, total amount paid and the total balance left to be paid. You will be able to print your account page to share with your tax preparer and keep for your records.

Installment payments and Form 5405

If you make an installment payment, you do not need to attach Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit, to your tax return. However, if you are repaying the credit because the home stopped being your main home, you must attach Form 5405.

Source:  To access the First-Time Homebuyer Credit Lookup Tool, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, visit the IRS.gov website.

 

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