What Happens If I File My Taxes and Forgot a W2?

Forgetting a W-2 form after filing a tax return is common, often due to multiple employers or misplacing a document. While concerning, this oversight is rectifiable. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides clear procedures for correcting previously filed returns, ensuring accurate reporting of income and withholdings.

Identifying the Impact of a Missing W2

A Form W-2, or Wage and Tax Statement, is a document employers provide to employees and the IRS annually. It summarizes total wages paid and federal, state, and other taxes withheld. It also includes employee and employer identification details.

The W-2 form contains key financial details, including taxable wages, tips, and other compensation (Box 1), and federal income tax withheld (Box 2). It also reports Social Security and Medicare wages and taxes (Boxes 3-6). These figures are used to complete Form 1040. Omitting a W-2 means income and withheld taxes from that employer are not accurately reflected on the original return. This can lead to an incorrect calculation of total income, an underpayment or overpayment of taxes, and potential discrepancies the IRS may flag.

Steps to Amend Your Tax Return

After locating a forgotten W-2 and understanding its impact, amend your tax return using Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. This form corrects errors on previously filed Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR. Obtain Form 1040-X and its instructions from the IRS website.

When completing Form 1040-X, provide your original tax figures, the corrected amounts after including the missing W-2 information, and an explanation for the changes. The form allows you to adjust income, deductions, credits, and tax liability. Specifically, add the income from the omitted W-2 to your Adjusted Gross Income on Line 1, and the federal income tax withheld to your total federal tax withheld on Line 12 of Form 1040-X.

Form 1040-X can be e-filed with tax software for the current and two prior tax periods if your original Form 1040, 1040-SR, or 1040-NR was also e-filed. For tax years 2021 and later, e-filing is an option even if the original return was paper-filed. Otherwise, print and mail the amended return to the appropriate IRS address, found in the form’s instructions. Attach a copy of the omitted W-2 to support the changes.

What to Expect After Amending

After submitting Form 1040-X, understand the typical processing timeline and potential outcomes. Amended returns generally take longer to process than original returns, with the IRS advising up to 16 weeks. Check your amended return status online using the “Where’s My Amended Return?” tool on the IRS website, usually within three weeks after mailing or e-filing.

Amending your return may result in a refund or additional tax owed. If a refund is due, it will typically be issued after processing. For e-filed amended returns (2021 and later), direct deposit may be an option; otherwise, a paper check is mailed. If you owe additional tax, pay it promptly to avoid penalties and interest accruing from the original tax due date.

The IRS may send correspondence, such as a notice of adjustment or request for further information, if they have questions. Review any IRS notice carefully and respond by the stated due date if you disagree or if further action is requested. Keep thorough records of your original return, the amended return, the missing W-2, and any related correspondence.