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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