Its February 14th... Do you know where your W2 Form is?

Is your W2 form missing in action? With this important piece lacking from your paper pile you are probably feeling a mounting frustration of to pay or not to pay. To end your tax crisis, here is how you can track down this missing information to complete your tax return.

1. Contact your employer and ask then when the form was mailed to you. If they indicate that the form was mailed a week or more prior to your call, it may have gotten lost in transition. Be sure that the employer has your full and correct mailing address so that they can re-send it to you once it is returned to them. Either way, you should have it or know that you will have it shortly before February 14^th.
2. Don't know where your W2 form is? Then get on the phone and call the IRS at 800.829.1040. You will need to provide then with your name, address, city, state, zip code, Social Security Number and telephone number. They will also ask you to provide your employer’s name, address, city, state, zip code and telephone number along with your dates of employment and an estimate of the wages you earned for 2010. This information is needed in order for the IRS to back track and help you locate the W2 information needed to complete your tax return filing.
3. Listen Up! Just because you don’t have a W2 form does not mean that you can pass on filing your taxes. You have a couple of options – file an extension to allow you more time to track down your W2 or file your taxes with Form 4852 (a substitute for Form W2). If you file your taxes on time using a Form 4582 and your W2 form shows up with significantly different information from that listed on the 4582, you will want to file Form 1040X. Completing and sending this form to the IRS will amend your initial filing with the correct information.  

As always, be sure to check with the IRS or your Tax Preparer to be sure that your Income Tax Return includes all of the necessary information for the IRS to process your filing. Then cross your fingers that you get a refund and don't have to write a check!