Do I Need a W2 for Every Job to File My Taxes?
Your work status determines the tax forms you need. Learn how to report income from multiple jobs to ensure you file your taxes accurately and completely.
Filing an accurate tax return requires the correct documentation from every source of income. For workers with multiple jobs in a single year, this raises questions about what forms are necessary. The documents you receive are directly tied to how a business classifies you as a worker, which dictates their reporting responsibilities to you and the IRS. This classification as either an employee or an independent contractor is key to navigating your tax obligations.
Understanding Your Employment Classification
A Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, is a document an employer sends to each employee and the IRS. This form reports your annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld from your paycheck. If a business pays you $600 or more or withholds any income, Social Security, or Medicare tax, you should receive a W-2.
The reason you might not receive a W-2 is due to your classification as an independent contractor. The IRS has guidelines to differentiate between employees and contractors, focusing on the degree of control a business has over the worker. These rules cover three main areas: Behavioral Control, Financial Control, and the Relationship of the Parties. Behavioral control examines if the company directs how the worker does their job, while financial control considers who controls the economic aspects, like payment and supplies. The relationship category looks at written contracts and employee-type benefits.
As an independent contractor, you should receive a Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation, from each client that paid you $600 or more. This form reports your total compensation without any tax withholdings. Contractors are considered self-employed and are responsible for paying their own income and self-employment taxes, which cover Social Security and Medicare.
Required Documentation for Tax Filing
For every job where you were an employee, you will need the Form W-2 issued by that employer, and you must have a separate W-2 from each one. On a W-2, you will use your total wages from Box 1 and the federal income tax withheld from Box 2.
For any work as an independent contractor, you will need the Form 1099-NEC from each client who paid you $600 or more. You must report all income, even if you do not receive a 1099-NEC because you earned less than the $600 threshold from a client.
Steps to Take for a Missing W-2
Employers must send W-2 forms by January 31 each year. If you have not received your W-2 by early February, contact your employer’s human resources or payroll department to request a copy.
If you have contacted your employer and still have not received your W-2 by the end of February, you can contact the IRS at 800-829-1040. When you call, be prepared to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and phone number. You will also need your employer’s name and address, and the dates you were employed. The IRS will send a letter to the employer on your behalf.
If you still do not have your W-2, you can file using Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2. To complete this form, you must estimate your wages and withheld taxes, using information from your final pay stub of the year. Attach Form 4852 to your tax return. If you later receive the W-2 and the information differs from your estimate, you must file an amended return using Form 1040-X.
Filing Your Tax Return with Multiple Income Forms
When you have worked multiple jobs, you must report all income on a single tax return. The income from all your W-2s is aggregated and reported on Form 1040. Tax software or a tax preparer will guide you to enter the information from each W-2 separately before combining the totals.
Income from a Form 1099-NEC is reported on Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, which is filed with your Form 1040. On Schedule C, you report your gross income and can deduct related business expenses. The resulting net profit is subject to both income tax and self-employment tax, calculated on Schedule SE.
A potential issue when combining income from multiple sources is the under-withholding of taxes. Each employer withholds taxes based only on the wages they pay, so your total income could place you in a higher tax bracket. This can result in an unexpected tax bill when you file.
To prevent this, you can check your withholding during the year using the IRS’s online Tax Withholding Estimator. Based on its recommendation, you can submit a new Form W-4 to your employer to have more tax withheld from your paychecks.