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Another option nobody's mentioned is to contact your HR department directly and request a duplicate W-2. They're legally required to provide it. My company actually has a self-service portal where I can download my W-2 anytime. Might be worth checking if yours has something similar?
I tried reaching out to HR but they're taking forever to respond. I used to work for a small company and their HR department is just one person who's always swamped. Do you know if there's a legal timeframe they have to provide it within? I'm worried about missing the filing deadline.
There's no specific legal timeframe for providing a replacement W-2, unfortunately. Employers are only legally required to provide the original W-2 by January 31st. For replacements, they should provide it in a "timely manner," but that's pretty vague. If you're concerned about the filing deadline, you might want to consider filing Form 4868 for an automatic six-month extension. Just remember that this only extends the time to file, not the time to pay any taxes owed. You'd still need to estimate and pay any taxes due by the original deadline to avoid penalties and interest.
Has anyone tried using the last paystub method? My accountant told me I could use my last paystub of the year as a substitute for a W-2 in a pinch, but I'm not sure how to report it properly on the tax forms.
I did this a couple years ago when my W-2 got lost in the mail. You have to fill out Form 4852 (Substitute for W-2) along with your tax return. Just be careful because the paystub might not include taxable benefits or year-end adjustments that would show up on the actual W-2.
Thanks for the info on Form 4852! I found it on the IRS website and it looks straightforward enough. Did the IRS give you any trouble when you submitted this form instead of having the actual W-2?
Does anyone know if the Wage and Income Transcript shows state tax info too? Or is it just federal? I created my account and can see all my federal stuff but nothing for state taxes.
Adding to what the other person said - some states automatically get the federal info and will flag discrepancies if your state return doesn't match what the IRS has. That's how I got caught missing a small 1099 last year. The feds didn't catch it but my state did!
Just a heads up to everyone - make sure you're actually on the real IRS website when setting up ID.me. My brother thought he was creating an account but it was some phishing site. Go directly to IRS.gov and navigate from there rather than clicking links in emails or search results.
This happened to my mom too! She got an email claiming to be from "IRS online services" with a link to "set up your account" and it was totally fake. Always go directly to irs.gov!
Exactly! The official way is to go to IRS.gov and look for "Sign into your Online Account" - anything else might be sketchy. My brother was lucky his credit card company flagged the charges that showed up after he entered his info on the fake site.
One thing nobody has mentioned yet - don't forget about potential state tax implications if your rental property is in a different state than your residence. I made this mistake last year. Some states may consider your rental activity as doing business in that state, which could potentially trigger filing requirements. This is especially important if you're physically present in that state doing work on the property.
That's a really good point I hadn't considered. The rental property is actually in a different state than where I live. So you're saying I might need to file a non-resident state tax return for the state where the rental is located? Were there any resources you found helpful for figuring out the state-specific requirements?
Yes, you may need to file a non-resident state return. It depends on the specific state's rules where your rental is located. Some states have minimum income thresholds before filing is required, while others want you to file regardless of the amount. I found the state's department of revenue website to be the most helpful resource. Most have specific sections for non-resident property owners. Also, software like TurboTax or H&R Block will usually prompt you about this situation if you indicate you have rental property in another state. In my case, I had to file in Arizona even though I live in California because my rental income exceeded their minimum threshold.
Has anyone considered the vehicle aspect of this? You might be able to deduct some of the truck purchase if you can legitimately allocate a portion to business use during that period. Keep track of total miles driven for rental work vs. personal during your ownership.
That wouldn't work because OP already said they don't plan to use the truck for business after driving it home. You can't just allocate part of a vehicle purchase to business use for a one-time thing and then convert it to 100% personal use. The IRS would see right through that.
One thing to consider - if you just have W2 and 1099 income without complicated investments or business structures, software like FreeTaxUSA can handle past years for a fraction of what you were quoted. They charge around $15-20 per federal return for prior years. For 1099 income, you'll need to fill out Schedule C, but most tax software walks you through this with simple questions. Just make sure you have good records of your expenses to offset that 1099 income - things like home office, supplies, mileage, etc. Don't let a CPA scare you into thinking your situation is more complex than it is. The $8800 quote is appropriate for someone with seriously complicated tax issues, not basic W2 and 1099 filing.
You'll need to mail in prior year returns - the IRS doesn't allow e-filing for tax years more than 2 years past. Print everything out, sign the forms, and send them via certified mail so you have proof of filing. For state returns, it varies by state. Some states do allow e-filing for prior years, but many follow the same rule as the IRS. Most tax software can still prepare state returns for prior years for around $15-20 per state. Just make sure you're using the software version for the correct tax year - 2021 taxes need to be prepared using 2021 tax software, etc.
Has anyone here actually gotten a penalty abatement for filing late? I'm in a similar boat (3 years unfiled) and I'm worried about how much the penalties are going to be on top of what I owe.
Ev Luca
3 Just as a heads up, writing a "kind letter" asking the IRS to remove the lien because you've been a good taxpayer isn't going to work. The IRS doesn't have the authority to just forgive tax debt because someone new bought the property. They're bound by specific regulations. Your options are basically: 1. Pay off the lien (probably not feasible at $240k) 2. Apply for a Certificate of Discharge (as others mentioned) 3. Try to negotiate an Offer in Compromise with the IRS (unlikely in your specific situation) 4. Sell the property subject to the lien (which will dramatically reduce what you can get for it
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Ev Luca
ā¢9 Could they also try to get the IRS to subordinate their lien instead of a full discharge? I've heard this can sometimes be easier to get approved if you're planning renovations that will increase the property value.
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Ev Luca
ā¢3 Yes, subordination is another option, particularly if you're planning significant renovations. With subordination, the IRS doesn't remove their lien but agrees to take a secondary position behind another lender. This could allow you to get renovation financing or a new mortgage on the property. For this to work, you'd need to demonstrate that the improvements will increase the property value enough that it ultimately benefits the IRS's position as well. Form 14134 is used for subordination requests. Like with discharge applications, documentation of your renovation plans and projected value increase will be critical.
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Ev Luca
10 My brother went through this exact situation! The key thing that worked for him was clearly documenting the property's condition with detailed photos and repair estimates. He was able to show that the "as-is" value of the property was much lower than the after-repair value, which helped with the discharge application. Also, definitely work with a tax attorney who specializes in IRS liens rather than trying to handle this yourself. My brother tried the DIY approach first and wasted 3 months before getting professional help. The specialist knew exactly how to structure the application and what supporting documentation would be most compelling.
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Ev Luca
ā¢1 That's really helpful, thanks! Did your brother end up paying anything to the IRS to get the discharge, or were they able to get it completely removed because of the property condition? I'm trying to figure out what this might end up costing me beyond attorney fees.
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