# Lost W-2 form, former employer not returning my phone calls. What do I do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 9, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586 "2010-04-09T22:35:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/1 "2010-04-09T22:35:43Z")
The April 15 date is looming, and I can’t find my W-2 form. I’ve repeatedly emailed and called my former employer to try to get another copy, but my messages have so far been unreturned. I feel I’m at the end of my rope here. What can I do to fulfil my civic duty and keep IRS agents from kicking down my door? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/2 "2010-04-09T22:42:14Z")
Is it possible for you to just stop in and talk to them? If not, you might call the IRS and ask them what to do if you’ve lost your W-2 and the employer won’t give you a new copy. ---
**Author:** ![Caldazar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Caldazar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldazar)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/3 "2010-04-09T22:42:20Z")
You contact the IRS. See: [http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=106470,00.html](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=106470,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/4 "2010-04-09T22:49:10Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Is it possible for you to just stop in and talk to them? If not, you might call the IRS and ask them what to do if you’ve lost your W-2 and the employer won’t give you a new copy. Tried it, the manager told me to call the owner (who I haven’t be able to reach). Guess I’ll have to contact the IRS. Thanks for the advice. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/5 "2010-04-09T23:37:33Z")
Do you have your final pay stub listing your YTD pay and income tax withheld? That ought to give you enough info to fill out the tax return, no? ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/6 "2010-04-09T23:51:03Z")
It is simple to file for an extension - but if you think you owe taxes, I think you have to send in an estimated payment. Your library or turbotax should have a copy of the form. Gives you some additional time to work out the issues with your employer. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/7 "2010-04-10T00:52:26Z")
> [@Caldazar](#): > > You contact the IRS. See: [http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=106470,00.html](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=106470,00.html) The IRS can generate you a copy of w-2’s filed by the employer but at this point it probably will not get to you by the 15th. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/8 "2010-04-10T01:19:12Z")
If I were you (and I’m not, just saying, this is what I would do, it’s not tax or legal advice)… I’d file an extension. I might not need it, but given today’s date it wouldn’t hurt for just in case. I’d contact the IRS for the W-2 information, as mentioned. Remember - with an extension you need to pay any tax you owe, all it gives you is an extension on sending in all the forms. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/9 "2010-04-10T02:05:40Z")
If your pay stubs have the YTD totals fill out the tax forms and file. I believe there is a box or form to file with a missing W2 form. ---
**Author:** ![Caractacus\_Pott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Caractacus\_Pott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caractacus_Pott)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/10 "2010-04-11T20:43:29Z")
Submit a [substitute W-2](http://www.bankrate.com/finance/money-guides/what-to-do-if-you-don-t-get-your-w-2.aspx) form if you have your last pay stub with the yearly cumulative totals. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/11 "2010-04-11T21:43:24Z")
Did you make significantly more or less than last year? If not, just use last years numbers. (I am not your accountant, don’t take advice from strangers on the internet.) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-w-2-form-former-employer-not-returning-my-phone-calls-what-do-i-do/535586/12 "2010-04-11T22:07:17Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > …don’t take advice from strangers on the internet.) Since you told me to, I won’t. I mean, I will. Or won’t. Or… Dammit!