Tax season can already feel overwhelming, but it becomes even more stressful when the documents you’re expecting don’t show up, or show up with mistakes. Whether you’re waiting on a W-2 from your employer or a 1099-R from a retirement plan, not having the right paperwork can delay your return, your refund, and possibly trigger IRS issues down the road. That’s why it’s important to know what to do and when to act if your tax forms are missing or incorrect.

When Should You Receive Form W-2 or 1099-R?

Every year, tax season kicks off with important documents arriving in the mail or your inbox. Two of the most common are:

• Form W-2 , which reports wages, tips, and taxes withheld by your employer
• Form 1099-R , which covers distributions from pensions, annuities, IRAs, and other retirement plans

Employers and payers are required to send these forms by January 31. If that deadline comes and goes, and you don’t have your form, or it includes inaccurate information, you’ll need to act quickly to avoid filing delays or mistakes on your tax return.

Step 1: Reach Out to the Issuer First

The first thing to do when a form is missing or incorrect is to contact the employer or financial institution that was supposed to send it.

Before contacting them, double-check a few details:

• Was your mailing address or email updated in their system?
• Did you recently change jobs, retire, or move?

Sometimes, incorrect or missing forms are simply the result of outdated contact information. Once you confirm that, request that the issuer:

• Resend your missing form
• Correct any mistakes (like wrong SSN, inaccurate income, or withholding figures)
• Send a corrected W-2 (called a W-2c) or a revised 1099-R

Always ask for the correction in writing, and if possible, send your request by email so you have a time-stamped record.

Step 2: Call the IRS if You Still Don’t Have the Form by February 15

If the form hasn’t arrived, and the issuer hasn’t responded, by February 15, the IRS recommends giving them a call.

Dial 800-829-1040 and have the following information ready:

• Your name, current address, and Social Security number
• The employer or payer’s name, address, and phone number
• Your estimated wages or distributions and how much tax you think was withheld

Once you’ve provided this information, the IRS will attempt to contact the employer or payer. They’ll also send you Form 4852, which you can use as a substitute if your W-2 or 1099-R never arrives.

Step 3: File Your Taxes with Form 4852 If Necessary

Still no form by the time you need to file your taxes? Don’t panic. You can use Form 4852 to file on time. This form is the IRS-approved replacement when your original or corrected W-2/1099-R is unavailable.

To complete Form 4852, gather:

• Your final pay stub or year-end retirement statement
• Your best estimate of earnings and any federal income tax withheld

Form 4852 gets attached to your regular tax return. It lets the IRS know you made a good-faith effort to report your income as accurately as possible.

Important: Using this form may delay your refund, as the IRS may manually verify the details you provide.

Step 4: What to Do If the Correct Form Arrives After You File

It happens more often than you’d think, you file your taxes using Form 4852, and then a few weeks later, your employer or retirement plan finally sends the correct W-2 or 1099-R.

If the amounts don’t match what you reported on your tax return, you’ll need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X. This ensures your records are accurate and protects you from future penalties or audits.

The good news? Filing an amended return is straightforward. Just correct the errors and send in the updated form. The IRS typically processes amended returns within 8–12 weeks.

Common Problems & How to Handle Them

Let’s break down a few frequent issues people run into—and what to do next:

Wrong Social Security Number

This is a red flag and should be fixed right away. Ask for a corrected version. Don’t file with the wrong SSN, it could delay your return.

Incorrect income or withholding amounts

Compare the form to your final pay stub or statement. If something seems off and your employer refuses to fix it, use Form 4852 and explain your estimates clearly.

Still no form even after IRS follow-up

Unfortunately, not all employers or payers respond, even after the IRS gets involved. If you’re still stuck, your only option is to move forward using Form 4852.

Address changes and lost mail

Always update your address with the USPS, the IRS, and your employer or retirement provider. This simple step can prevent a lot of tax season stress.

Helpful IRS Forms You May Need

Want to See IRS Records from Previous Years?

If you’re unsure how much you earned or whether your employer even reported your wages, you can request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS.

Here’s how:

• Go to IRS.gov and request online
• Or, fill out and mail Form 4506-T

This transcript includes info from W-2s, 1099s, and other income statements reported to the IRS. It’s especially helpful for late filers or those dealing with unresponsive employers.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Waiting to resolve a missing or incorrect form puts you at risk of missing the tax deadline or filing with incomplete data. To stay on track:

• Keep pay stubs and annual statements as backup
• Review all forms carefully for spelling errors, wrong SSNs, or numbers that don’t match your records
• Stay in communication with employers and retirement providers early in tax season