Annoying Tax Problem

[Misty1979 0]

Hi guys!

I know it's waaay past tax season now, but we're a little behind filing our joint taxes this year because I was away in bootcamp when it was time to file, then I came back, and since then we've been trying to get our hands on one single W2 so we can finish up our taxes and send 'em in.

The situation is this: My husband worked part time for Blockbuster Video last year while attending college. When tax season came, he lost the original W2, but has since requested a new one THREE times! The first time, he just spoke to his old boss at the store itself, and she said she'd order it. When it never showed up, he called her again, and she informed him that he would have to call head office himself and order it. So he calls and speaks to a lady, and she says it'll be here in 7-10 business days. Again, it doesn't show up. Once again, he called the head office, explained that he keeps ordering it and that it's not showing up, and makes sure they have our correct addy. The lady this time sounds like she really is ordering it (he said she took his time with him, was prudent on getting all his info, etc..) then tells him the same thing: 7-10 business days.

Well now it's been about 11 or 12 business days, and in total, more than 3 months chasing this one stupid W2, and I'm fed up! We really need this refund money to pay off my credit card in Canada, but I'm out of ideas.

Does anyone else know of a way to get a W2 without calling the employer? I know there must be some other way, since businesses go bankrupt all the time and just disappear without a trace, and I'm sure the employees there still get their taxes taken care of.

I thought maybe he could somehow print it online, but he says it's not possible...does anyone else have any ideas?

[Surf2Salsa 0]

I'm an accountant & tax preparer.

I run into this problem quite often at my office.

At this point you are definitely getting the run around.

Call Blockbuster again, remain cool calm and collected.

Verify your address on record that they have.

At this point insist on them faxing you a copy of the w-2 within hours,

24 hours at the most. If not, threaten that you are going to call the Internal Revenue Service and/or your state's division of taxation and labor department. Have the phone numbers for all three agencies written down before you call Blockbuster, threaten in a professional matter.

The Internal Revenue Service is 1-800-829-1040, I believe you're in California, like New Jersey and New York, California should be very helpful, they are very pro-government and anti business. I'm sure that Blockbuster doesn't want an investigation into the matter.

I always suggest to tax payers to ALWAYS keep paystubs. This is proof of employment and you can recreate a W-2 in case of an emergency and lack of cooperation from an employer with the last paystub in a tax year from an employer. I'm sure he's lost or discarded his paystubs, that's not going to work.

Keep me posted on your progress.

[trailmix 77]

Topic 154 - Form W-2 and Form 1099–R (What to Do if Not Received) link

If you do not receive your Form W-2 or Form 1099-R by January 31st , or your information is incorrect, contact your employer/payer.

If you do not receive the missing or corrected form by February 14th from your employer/payer, you may call the IRS at 800–829–1040 for assistance. You must provide your name, address (including zip code), phone number, Social Security Number, dates of employment, your employer/payer's name, address (including zip code), and phone number. The IRS will contact the employer/payer for you and request the missing form. IRS will also send you a Form 4852 (PDF), Substitute for Form W-2 or Form 1099-R.

If you do not receive the missing form in sufficient time to file your tax return timely, you may use the Form 4852. If you receive the missing or corrected Form W-2 or Form 1099 after you file your return and a correction is needed, use Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. For additional information on filing an amended return, refer to Topic 308, Amended Returns.

[Misty1979 0]

Thanks guys for the responses, very helpful info!

[Emancipation 2]

I'd just like to add that we used the Form 4852 without incident this year. our former employer didn't issue W-2's and when we called the IRS they immediately started and investigation and told us to use the Form 4852 by the filing date if we didn't have the W-2 at hand (we still don't).. We did keep our pay stubs and could figure out our taxes paid based on that.

[zyggy 9]

Hi guys!

I know it's waaay past tax season now, but we're a little behind filing our joint taxes this year because I was away in bootcamp when it was time to file, then I came back, and since then we've been trying to get our hands on one single W2 so we can finish up our taxes and send 'em in.

The situation is this: My husband worked part time for Blockbuster Video last year while attending college. When tax season came, he lost the original W2, but has since requested a new one THREE times! The first time, he just spoke to his old boss at the store itself, and she said she'd order it. When it never showed up, he called her again, and she informed him that he would have to call head office himself and order it. So he calls and speaks to a lady, and she says it'll be here in 7-10 business days. Again, it doesn't show up. Once again, he called the head office, explained that he keeps ordering it and that it's not showing up, and makes sure they have our correct addy. The lady this time sounds like she really is ordering it (he said she took his time with him, was prudent on getting all his info, etc..) then tells him the same thing: 7-10 business days.

Well now it's been about 11 or 12 business days, and in total, more than 3 months chasing this one stupid W2, and I'm fed up! We really need this refund money to pay off my credit card in Canada, but I'm out of ideas.

Does anyone else know of a way to get a W2 without calling the employer? I know there must be some other way, since businesses go bankrupt all the time and just disappear without a trace, and I'm sure the employees there still get their taxes taken care of.

I thought maybe he could somehow print it online, but he says it's not possible...does anyone else have any ideas?

You can call the IRS for a copy - 1-800-829-1040