There Is No Control Number on My W-2. What Do I Do?

The W-2 form, officially known as the Wage and Tax Statement, is a document employers provide to employees detailing their annual wages and taxes withheld. As tax season approaches, many individuals review this form to prepare their tax returns. A frequent question arises when the W-2 appears to be missing a “control number,” leading to uncertainty about how to proceed with tax filing.

What a W-2 Control Number Is

A W-2 control number is an optional identifier used by employers, particularly those with large workforces, to uniquely identify each W-2 form. This multi-digit code often assists payroll software systems in managing and transmitting wage and tax data efficiently. Its primary function is to facilitate the electronic import of W-2 information into tax preparation software, streamlining the data entry process for taxpayers. This unique code helps ensure the correct W-2 data is matched with the appropriate employee record.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not mandate the inclusion of a control number on Form W-2 for tax filing purposes. Therefore, its absence does not invalidate the form itself or prevent an individual from filing their income tax return. Many smaller businesses or employers using less sophisticated payroll systems may simply choose not to utilize or generate these control numbers.

Filing Your Taxes Without It

When preparing to e-file your tax return, most tax preparation software programs are designed to accommodate the absence of a W-2 control number. The software typically uses the employer’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), along with your name, Social Security number, and other wage data, for verification with IRS records. If your software prompts for a control number and it is missing, you can generally leave the field blank without issue.

Alternatively, some software may require an entry to proceed, in which case entering all zeros (e.g., ‘000000’) is a common and acceptable practice. The accuracy of your reported wages in Box 1, federal income tax withheld in Box 2, and other Box 3 through Box 14 data is paramount for a successful e-filed return. The control number itself is not a piece of information transmitted to the IRS as part of your individual income tax return.

For individuals who choose to file their tax returns by mail, the absence of a W-2 control number presents no issue whatsoever. The physical Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and its accompanying schedules do not contain a dedicated field for the W-2 control number. When submitting a paper return, you simply attach Copy B of your W-2 form to the return, ensuring all other required wage and tax information is clearly legible.