Can You File Your Taxes Without a W2 Form?

It is possible to file taxes without a W-2 form, though it simplifies reporting wages and withheld taxes. Individuals may not have a W-2 due to it being lost, undelivered, or because their income sources are not reported on this form. Understanding how to navigate these scenarios is important for accurate tax filing.

When You’re Missing a W-2

If you are missing a W-2, first contact your employer directly. Request a copy or the essential details, including their Employer Identification Number (EIN), your total wages, and federal, state, and local taxes withheld.

If your employer is unresponsive or out of business, the IRS can assist. Obtain a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS, which includes information from W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and other income documents. This transcript can be requested online through the IRS website, by mail using Form 4506-T, or by calling the IRS directly at 1-800-908-9946. The online service requires identity verification.

Should efforts to get a W-2 from your employer and an IRS transcript prove unsuccessful, you may use Form 4852, “Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement.” This form allows you to estimate your wages and taxes withheld based on other records, such as your final pay stub for the year. When completing Form 4852, you will need to provide your employer’s details, your estimated earnings, and the taxes you believe were withheld, along with an explanation of the steps you took to try and obtain a W-2.

Income Not Reported on a W-2

Many types of income are not typically, or ever, reported on a W-2 form, requiring different documentation and reporting methods. Self-employment income, for example, is not reported on a W-2. If you are an independent contractor or freelancer and receive payments of $600 or more from a business, they are generally required to issue you Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation. For self-employed individuals, maintaining thorough personal records like bank statements, invoices, and receipts is important for tracking all income and expenses, even if a 1099-NEC is not received. This income is then typically reported on Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Business.

Investment income is another common type of earnings not reported on a W-2. For instance, dividend income of $10 or more is reported on Form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions, issued by banks and other financial institutions. Interest income of $10 or more from financial institutions is reported on Form 1099-INT, Interest Income. When selling stocks, bonds, or other securities through a broker, Form 1099-B, Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions, is issued to report the proceeds and help calculate capital gains or losses. If you do not receive these 1099 forms, or if they contain inaccuracies, you should rely on statements from your brokerage firms, banks, or mutual funds to accurately report your investment earnings.

Certain government payments also fall outside of W-2 reporting. Unemployment compensation is reported on Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments, which shows the total amount paid to you and any federal taxes withheld. Social Security benefits are reported on Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement, detailing the total benefits received. The net amount of benefits is typically found in Box 5 of this form. Other income sources that do not use a W-2 include gambling winnings, reported on Form W2-G, and pension or annuity income, reported on Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc. You must report all income regardless of whether you receive a specific form.