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I think you could also check if you can access your W2 online. A lot of companies use services like ADP or Workday where employees can log in and download their tax documents even after they've left the company. Worth asking Walgreens HR if they have an online portal where you could get your W2 immediately instead of waiting for a paper copy.
I actually asked about that already and they said because I was only there for a few days, they never set me up with access to their employee portal. So frustrating! But thanks for the suggestion, it would have been the easiest solution.
That's really annoying! Some companies have terrible systems for short-term employees. Another option might be to ask if they can email you a copy of your W2 instead of mailing it. Some HR departments are willing to do this if you explain your situation, even though it's not their standard procedure.
You'd be surprised how many people have this exact issue! I worked as a tax preparer and we always had clients with missing W2s from short-term jobs. If it helps, here's what you need from that pay stub: your gross wages, federal income tax withheld, social security tax withheld, and medicare tax withheld. Make sure you have ALL those numbers before trying to file. A pay stub usually has most of this but sometimes misses details that are only on the W2.
Would tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block let you enter pay stub info instead of W2 info? Or would it force you to have the actual W2?
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I made this exact mistake last year but with $37 in dividends that showed up after my conversion. My accountant said not to worry about it and just include it in the basis for next year's conversion. Haven't had any issues.
Did you have to pay any taxes on those dividends though? I'm confused about whether they count as income for the current year even if you're converting them later.
One thing nobody's mentioned - you should check if your traditional IRA has a "sweep" feature that automatically moves dividends to a money market fund. If it's set up right, you can have future dividends go directly to Roth if your brokerage allows it! Saved me a lot of hassle with these small amounts showing up randomly.
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One thing to watch for with FreeTaxUSA - they charge extra for state returns while federal is free (or very cheap). I think it was like $15 for state when I used it last year, which is still WAY cheaper than TurboTax, but just so you're not surprised. Also, their interface is more basic than TurboTax. Less hand-holding but actually more straightforward once you get used to it. I found I actually liked it better since it didn't try to upsell me every 5 minutes.
Thanks for the heads up on the state return cost. $15 is totally fine compared to what TurboTax was charging me! Does the interface still walk you through everything step by step, or do you need to know what forms you need ahead of time?
It does walk you through everything step by step, just with less flashy graphics and animations than TurboTax. The questions are straightforward and it covers all the same ground. You don't need to know specific forms ahead of time - it asks about your situation and determines what forms you need, just like TurboTax does. One thing I actually prefer about FreeTaxUSA is that the help content is more direct and less cluttered. When you have a question, the explanations are clear without trying to dumb everything down too much.
I've been using FreeTaxUSA for 5 years now. The state returns are usually available by mid-January, sometimes earlier depending on your state. For your estimated payment, you can probably just use the same method you used for Q3 unless your income has changed significantly.
Which tax software is best for self-employed people? I have a small side business and TurboTax always upsells me to their most expensive version.
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One thing nobody mentioned yet - make sure you fill out your W-4 correctly! The form was redesigned a few years ago and it's different from the old one. If you don't have multiple jobs and nobody claims you as a dependent, it's pretty simple. But if you have more than one job or your situation is complicated, the worksheet helps you figure out the right withholding so you don't end up owing a lot at tax time.
I messed up my W-4 last year and had way too little withheld. Ended up owing $1200 at tax time that I wasn't expecting! Is there an easy way to estimate how much should be withheld?
The IRS has a tax withholding estimator tool on their website that's actually pretty good. You enter your income, filing status, and other details, and it gives you the exact numbers to put on your W-4. If you're worried about owing again, you can also just put a specific additional amount to withhold on line 4(c) of the W-4. Even an extra $25-50 per paycheck can make a big difference at tax time and give you a buffer. Better to get a small refund than owe money you haven't budgeted for!
Just to clarify something important - if your manager is pushing the W-9 option, they might be trying to save money by not paying employer taxes. As others have said, based on your job description, you're clearly an employee who should fill out a W-4. If you fill out a W-9 instead, here's what happens: 1. No taxes will be withheld from your paychecks (you'll get the full $19/hour) 2. You'll be responsible for paying ALL taxes yourself quarterly 3. You'll pay higher taxes (both employer and employee portion of FICA) 4. You won't be eligible for unemployment benefits if you lose your job 5. You won't have workers' comp protection if you're injured Stand your ground and tell them you need a W-4 because you're an employee, not a contractor!
Thanks so much for this breakdown! I had no idea about all these differences. I'm definitely going to ask for the W-4 form when I go in tomorrow. If they keep pushing for the W-9, I'll show them this explanation about why I should be classified as an employee. Is there anything specific I should say if they try to insist on the W-9? I don't want to lose this job but also don't want to get stuck with a huge tax bill later.
Just be straightforward but polite. Say something like: "I've done some research, and based on my role here, I should be classified as an employee and fill out a W-4. Employee classification is determined by IRS rules, not by preference." If they still push back, you could mention that employee misclassification is something the IRS takes seriously, and you're concerned about potential tax issues down the road. You could also ask what specifically about your role makes them think you should be a contractor rather than an employee. As a last resort, you can always contact your state's Department of Labor or the IRS directly for clarification. But hopefully a straightforward conversation will resolve it!
AaliyahAli
Just a heads up for parents claiming the Child Tax Credit - even with the January 23 start date, if you're claiming this credit, your refund won't be issued until mid-February at the earliest. This is due to the PATH Act which requires the IRS to hold refunds claiming certain credits until they can verify income. Same goes for the Earned Income Tax Credit. So don't panic if you file on day one and don't see your refund right away!
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Ellie Simpson
•Does this apply even if I'm not getting a refund? I usually end up owing a small amount but still claim the Child Tax Credit for my two kids.
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AaliyahAli
•If you end up owing taxes rather than receiving a refund, the PATH Act verification delays won't impact you. The delay only affects refunds being issued to taxpayers claiming these credits. Since you typically owe a small amount, you can file as early as January 23rd and the PATH Act won't cause any additional delays in your return processing. Just make sure you pay any amount owed by the filing deadline (April 18th this year) to avoid penalties and interest.
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Arjun Kurti
Does anyone know if the Free File program will be available on January 23rd too? I used it last year and it worked great for my simple return.
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Raúl Mora
•Yes, IRS Free File typically opens on the same day as the tax season starts! I've been using it for years. Just be aware that some of the participating companies sometimes add their own software to the mix a few days later than the official start date.
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