Can I File My Taxes Without a W-2?

Yes — if your employer won't issue a W-2 or you can't locate it, you can still file using Form 4852, a substitute W-2. You'll fill in your best estimate of your wages and withholding based on your final pay stub. The IRS may follow up to verify the information, but you should file on time rather than wait indefinitely. You can also request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS (available in your online account) after mid-May — it shows what your employer reported to the IRS, which can serve as a reference for Form 4852. Employers are required to provide W-2s by January 31 — if yours hasn't arrived by mid-February, contact your employer first, then the IRS.