How do you get a W2 from a non-existent company?

[RobertVA]

I thought USPS change of address forms were only effective for 30 days. Am I incorrect about that? If so, a change of address submitted in May would have expired by the end of the year.

Someone earning "reportable" income off the books probably didn't have any income, social security or or medicaid taxes withheld from it. A W2, 1099 or equivalent probably wouldn't lower their tax liability and would only serve to expose the employer to (deserved) investigation for tax evasion.

I'm thinking it's not very prudent to throw away the most recent pay stub from an employer until you have that W-2 in your hand. Even then, I thinking the last pay stub should be retained if there is other information (like pension/401K deductions or insurance premiums) that isn't duplicated on the W2. While I'm aware many people would have storage problems retaining every pay stub, you could verify the running totals are consistent with the prior pay stub before shredding the old one (probably has information you shouldn't be putting into the trash intact)

 

[CaptainHawk1]

I thought USPS change of address forms were only effective for 30 days. Am I incorrect about that? If so, a change of address submitted in May would have expired by the end of the year.

6 months and if IIRC, you can renew it.

I'm thinking it's not very prudent to throw away the most recent pay stub from an employer until you have that W-2 in your hand. Even then, I thinking the last pay stub should be retained if there is other information (like pension/401K deductions or insurance premiums) that isn't duplicated on the W2. While I'm aware many people would have storage problems retaining every pay stub, you could verify the running totals are consistent with the prior pay stub before shredding the old one (probably has information you shouldn't be putting into the trash intact)

Well, he's big boy now and he's learned a valuable lesson.

-Shawn

 

[Michael Chris]

Wow, this is just what my dad is going though trying to get W2's out to former employees of a defunct company.

 

[John Picard]

Let's pretend your company's owners got bought out in the middle of the year. You should receive two different W2s, one from the old owner and one from the new.

Now, let's say that after the switchover, the old company went out of business. It no longer exists, and there is no way to contact them. The new owners don't even have that information.

In theory, I was told that the old company would be mailing out W2s to my home address. The problem is, I have switched addresses several times since I started working for them, and I have no idea which address they had on file for me.

Is there a way to get a hold of a W2 from someone other than your employer? Can you contact the IRS or some other agency?

If you have the last paystub from the company, then all you need should be on it.

Based on the responses here, you should use this as a valuable lesson. Whenever moving, ALWAYS fill out change of address forms with the Post Office to insure all mail is forwarded. The information stays on file for 12 months.

 

[RoJoHen]

Look at me: I'm learning!

I did some research and found someone I might be able to contact who can send me another copy of my W2.

I am very poorly organized when it comes to important documents, unfortunately. If my last pay stub still exists (which I doubt), it is probably buried somewhere under a mass of fast food wrappers on the floor of my car.

My filing system consists of a pile of papers on my coffee table.