Can you use your last pay stub to file taxes rather than W2?

Answer 1

• Absolutely.
• If you didn't even have a last pay stub, or a W-2, you still legally HAVE to file your income tax. When you do get the information on say a W-2, if it doesn't match what you filed, you will have to amend and correct your filing. However, you should wait for several reasons: The return likely won't be processed until the employer has filed all his reports (generally due by 01/31), and they can be matched to what your claiming. The information on the W-2 may have year end adjustments, additions, etc that don't match your last stub. That will delay your return for a long time while the discrepancy is resolved - and then you will have to file an amended return.
• Some information you need to report, certain employer ID#s etc may not be available on a pay stub.
• If it isn't available, you are really required to use it or explain why you didn't, using another complex form that is bound to slow up processing.
• You want to use the best information available and follow the established process as best you can, or expect problems!
• "While income tax returns may be prepared using documentation of income and Federal tax withholding (such as pay stub, Leave and Earning Statement, etc.) the return must not be electronically filed prior to the ERO's receipt of the related form W-2, W-2G, or 1099R. If the taxpayer is unable to secure and provide to the ERO a correct Form W-2, W-2G or 1099R for the income and Federal tax withholding, the return may be electronically filed after Form 4852 is used, the non-standard W-2 indicator must be included in the record and the form 4852 must be retained by the ERO in the same manner as Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099R." The above clearly notes that it won't be processed, but that it may be prepared. More importantly, the whole thing is applicable to Process to electronic filing issues - for EROs (an IRS term meaning "Electronic Return Originators"), that is a certain group of preparers with a large number of electronic filings, not filing in general for the normal process.

Answer 2

You need to wait until you receive your W-2, because until then the company has not reported your final earnings to the government. You need to compare the final check stub with the W2 to be certain that it is accurate.

Absolutely. If you didn't even have a last pay stub, or a W-2, you still legally HAVE to file your income tax. When you do get the information on say a W-2, if it doesn't match what you filed, you will have to amend and correct your filing. However, you should wait for several reasons: The return likely won't be processed until the employer has filed all his reports (generally due by 01/31), and they can be matched to what your claiming. The information on the W-2 may have year end adjustments, additions, etc that don't match your last stub. Tha will delay your retuirn for a long time while the dicrepency is resolved - and rthen you will have to file an amended return. Some information you need to report, certain employer ID#s etc may not be available on a pay stub. If it is available, you are really required to use it or explain why you didn't have one, using another complex form. You want to use the best information available and follow the established process as best you can, or expect problems!

Answer 3

No. You are required to file your tax reports with the specified forms that your employer is required to mail to you by the end of January each year.

If you didn't even have a last pay stub, or a W-2, you still legally HAVE to file your income tax.

When you do get the information on say a W-2, if it doesn't match what you filed, you will have to amend and correct your filing.

However, you should wait for several reasons: The return likely won't be processed until the employer has filed all his reports (generally due by 01/31), and they can be matched to what your claiming.

The information on the W-2 may have year end adjustments, additions, etc that don't match your last stub. Tha will delay your retuirn for a long time while the dicrepency is resolved - and rthen you will have to file an amended return.

Some information you need to report, certain employer ID#s etc may not be available on a pay stub.

If it is available, you are really required to use it or explain why you didn't have one, using another complex form.

You want to use the best information available and follow the established process as best you can, or expect problems!

And as you hear about "quick refunds, etc being advertised, don't be confused:

The W-2 and/or 1099s MUST be submitted with the formal return.

Some tax preparers have a LOAN process, where by using your last check to prove to THEM that you have overpaid your tax and will be getting a refund, they will give you a loan against that eventual refund (which you actually get when the real return, using the correct forms (not a paycheck stub) is filed. (And then THEY must prepare that return, which they charge you many times the normal rate to do....it's called business!)

These "quick refund" loans - by whatever name they may go under - are becoming illegal and regulated in many areas as they ave been the source of many abusive loan practices, are ALWAYS such a bad deal it almost amounts to thievery and should never be done as simply being about the most foolish financial thing possible.

Answer 4

All federal income taxes are filed at the same place: The IRS (OK, perhaps different addresses for different areas). Some places will give you a LOAN, a very expensive loan...frequently the point of many consumer group and legal actions because they are even abusive...based on your anticpated refund using your pay stub..but they normally then also charge a very large, (many times what it may cost otherwise) to file your return when they can and take that refund to pay the loan. They charge you a bunch to loan you YOUR OWN money! You can't even try to file until February 15th. Prior to that date you must make every reasonable effort to obtain a W-2 from your employer, who is required to mail or otherwise deliver your W-2 to you no later than January 31st. Also, you need any of the other forms (like 1099, from banks, etc), and if you do file withhout them, there are additional forms you need to provide so the IRS can find out why whoever was to provide them didn't. Obviously this can delay the processing of your return....and if the amounts you showed don't exactly match what is filed (and employers frequently have some year end changes that will make your last stub in accurate), you would have to file an amended return to correct it...or expect nasty-grams! Finally, if your wanting to do so because you have a large refund coming...especially if that is common for you...you should file a new Form W-9, to change the amount of withholding being done so your not always having too much taken out of your check through the year.

Answer 5

THIS QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED AND ANSWERED MANY, MANY TIMES AND IS PART OF THE DATABASE. (As a courtesy one is linked here as a "related question"). CORRECTLY USING THE SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE THE ANSWER WITHOUT ANY DELAY, (or requiring inconvenience or action by anyone else).

Answer 6

Assuming you're in the U.S., of course you can. It's only if you get audited that you have to prove income and expenses! The above may not understand the systems and matching programs that are used at all. Your return must match the W-2 and 1099s etc that are filed for that ID or the missing items will be identified by the IRS, and you will have to explain why. You cannot file with a paystub, unless no W-2 was issued, in which case you must file an additional form explaining what W-2 wasn't received, the IRS will investigate, and if the W-2 is eventually filed with different values than you used, you will have to file and mended return. YOU MUST WAIT UNTIL MID FEBRUARY TO FILE WITHOUT A W-2 IN ANY CASE. Filing using a paystub will probably means your filing under a revenue anticipation loan program - with should be avoided in any circumstances. See the related Qs for more on these topics provided here.

Answer 7

no, at the end of January you will get a w2 form from your employer in the mail and this will have all the info on it in order to prepare your taxes.