Before you file your 2010 tax return, you should make sure you have all the needed documents. If you worked as an employee for someone else at any time during 2010, then those necessary documents include all your Forms W-2. You should receive a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from each of your employers. Employers had until January 31, 2011 to send you a 2010 Form W-2 earnings statement.

If you did not receive all your Forms W-2, follow these four steps:

1. Contact your employer. If you have not received your W-2, contact your employer to inquire if and when the W-2 was mailed. If it was mailed, it may have been returned to the employer because of an incorrect or incomplete address. After contacting the employer, allow a reasonable amount of time for them to resend or to issue the W-2.

2. Contact the IRS. If you still do not receive your W-2 and it is after February 14th, contact the IRS for assistance at 800-829-1040. When you call, you must provide your name, address, city and state, including zip code, Social Security number, phone number and have the following information:

• Employer’s name, address, city and state, including zip code and phone number
• Dates of employment
• An estimate of the wages you earned, the federal income tax withheld, and when you worked for that employer during 2010. The estimate should be based on year-to-date information from your final pay stub or leave-and-earnings statement, if possible.

3. File your return. Even if you do not receive all your W-2 statements, you still must file your tax return or request an extension to file by April 18, 2011. If you do not receive your Form W-2 by the due date, and you have completed steps 1 and 2, you may use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. Attach Form 4852 to the return, estimating your income and withholding taxes as accurately as possible.  Be aware that there may be a delay in any refund due while the information is verified.

4. File a Form 1040X. On occasion, you may receive your missing W-2 after you filed your return using Form 4852, and the information may be different from what you reported on your return. If this happens, you must amend your return by filing a Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.  Form 4852, Form 1040X, and instructions are available at the official IRS website at www.IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

If you have any questions in regard to these requirements, consult your professional tax advisor or tax preparer. Please also feel free to share this article with others that might benefit from this information.