Ask the Taxgirl: No Tax Forms!

by Kelly on February 1st, 2007

Taxpayer asks: It’s February and I didn’t receive my W-2 (or 1099). What do I do?

Taxgirl answers: You should receive your forms W-2 or 1099 by January 31. If you haven’t received your forms, you should first contact your employer (or the issuer). You might not have received the form because of an incomplete or bad address, so check to make sure that your info is correct.

If you verify your info and still haven’t received your forms (or if your forms were incorrect), you should wait until mid-February before contacting the IRS (just to make sure that the forms weren’t simply delayed in the mail). You should contact the IRS by calling 1.800.829.1040. You’ll need to have your personal info handy, including address, phone number, Social Security Number, your dates of employment and the name, address and phone number of your employer. The IRS will contact your employer (or the form issuer) with a form 4598, Form W-2, 1098 or 1099 Not Received, Incorrect, or Lost. You will receive a copy of the form 4598, along with a form 4852, Substitute for Form W–2 or Form 1099–R. If you still do not receive your form W-2, you should use the form 4852; be sure and allow plenty of time before filing the form 4852.

Like any good lawyer, I need to add a disclaimer: Unfortunately, it is impossible to give comprehensive tax advice over the internet, no matter how well researched or written. Before relying
on any information given on this site, contact a tax professional to discuss your particular situation.