2001 Tax Help Archives  

Current Filing Year Form W-2 or Form 1099-R
(What to Do If Not Received)

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2001 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

In general, employers must provide employees with 2001 Form W-2 (PDF), Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099-R (PDF), Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirements or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRA, Insurance Contracts, by January 31, 2002. Employers have the option of making Form W-2 information available on a website. However, if you leave your employer before the end of the calendar year and request your Form W-2 or 1099-R, your employer must provide your Form W-2 or 1099-R within 30 days of your request. If you do not receive your Form W-2 or 1099-R, you still must file your return on time.

After January 31, 2002, if you have not received Form W-2 or 1099-R, or the information off an employer web site, you should contact your employer. You may not have received your W-2 or 1099-R because of an incorrect or incomplete address so be sure to verify the address used if already mailed. If the W-2 or 1099-R was returned to your employer because of an incorrect address, or never mailed, allow a reasonable amount of time for the employer to re-mail or issue the W-2.

If you still do not receive the form or the information, contact the IRS for assistance at 1-800-829-1040, but not before February 15, 2002. When you call, be prepared to provide your social security number, name, address (including zip code), and phone number, dates of employment, and the employer's name, address (including zip code) and phone number.

The IRS will send the employer a Form 4598, Form W-2, or 1099, Not Received, Incorrect, or Lost. You will be sent a copy, along with a Form 4852 (PDF), Substitute for Form W-2 or Form 1099-R and a Form 1040X (PDF), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. If you do not receive your Form W-2 or 1099-R in sufficient time to file timely, you may file using the Form 4852.

If you later receive a Form W-2 or 1099-R, or a corrected form, after your return is filed, and the information does not match the income and tax information reported on your return, you must file an amended return. For information on amending your return, refer to Tax Topic 308.

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