Use TurboTax or FreeTaxUSA - they make it super easy to enter even tiny W-2s like this. Takes maybe 2 minutes and saves all the worry. I had a similar situation with a $45 W-2 last year and just entered it to avoid any headaches.

Just to add another perspective - I work in payroll and can confirm that employers are required to issue W-2s for any amount of wages paid, even if it's just $24.50. The lack of federal tax withholding is completely normal for such a small amount - the withholding tables are designed so that very low earnings don't trigger federal income tax withholding. However, as others have mentioned, you absolutely should report this income. The IRS receives copies of all W-2s electronically, and their automated matching system will flag your return if there's a discrepancy. Even though the actual tax impact might be zero (depending on your total income), omitting it could trigger correspondence that's way more hassle than just including it. Pro tip: If you're using tax software, it will automatically calculate whether this small amount actually affects your tax liability. In many cases, it won't change what you owe or your refund amount, but reporting it keeps you compliant and avoids potential issues down the road.

did the exact same thing happen to your federal withholding too? or just state? because different states have different withholding rules that don't always match the federal changes

This is frustrating but totally makes sense now that I'm reading everyone's experiences! I had a similar issue where my withholding seemed way off after getting a raise. One thing that really helped me understand what was happening was looking at my year-to-date withholding on each paystub throughout the year - you can actually see when the withholding rate changed and whether it was keeping pace with your income increase. The midyear raise explanation really resonates with me. When payroll systems calculate withholding, they're essentially projecting your annual income based on your current pay rate. So if you got a raise in August, the system might have been calculating as if you were making your pre-raise salary for the whole year during the first 8 months, then suddenly switched to calculating as if you'd been making the higher salary all year long. For next year, definitely submit a new W-4 form to your employer. You can use the IRS withholding calculator on their website to figure out exactly how much extra you should have withheld each paycheck to get back to that $1,600-1,900 refund range you're used to.

You might also want to consider filing a complaint with your state's Department of Labor if your former employer is still dodging their responsibilities. Many states require employers to provide W-2s even after closing, and some have penalties for failing to do so. In the meantime, definitely go with Form 4852 as others have suggested. One tip that helped me in a similar situation: if you remember your hourly rate or salary, multiply that by the hours/months you worked to get your gross wages. Then use online tax calculators to estimate what would have been withheld based on your income level and filing status. Also keep any emails or documentation showing you tried to get the W-2 from your employer - this proves you made good faith efforts to get accurate information, which the IRS appreciates if they ever have questions. Don't let this stress you out too much. The IRS deals with these situations regularly, especially with all the business closures in recent years.

I went through almost exactly this situation two years ago when my company suddenly folded. The fact that your wages aren't showing up on your IRS wage transcript is a dead giveaway - they definitely never submitted your W-2 information despite their claims. Here's my step-by-step advice based on what worked for me: 1. **File Form 4852 immediately** - Don't wait any longer since your extension deadline is approaching. This substitute form is specifically designed for missing W-2 situations. 2. **Gather whatever evidence you have** - Even if it's just bank deposit records showing your net pay, work emails mentioning your salary, or anything that helps establish what you earned. 3. **Be methodical with your estimates** - I used my final pay stub (luckily I had one) to calculate my year-to-date totals. If you don't have that, work backwards from your known salary/hourly rate and time worked. 4. **Document everything** - Keep records of all your attempts to contact the employer, any responses you got, and how you calculated your estimates. The IRS wants to see you made good faith efforts. 5. **Don't panic about perfect accuracy** - The IRS understands these situations happen. As long as your estimates are reasonable and well-documented, you should be fine. The key thing is just getting your return filed before the October deadline. You can always amend later if more accurate information becomes available. Good luck!

Anyone know if this works the same way for Uber/Lyft drivers? I've been deducting mileage but have like $200 in bridge tolls too.

This is exactly the kind of confusion that trips up so many taxpayers! You're absolutely right to double-check this before filing. The good news is that several people here have already confirmed what you're seeing - you CAN deduct both standard mileage AND tolls/parking fees. I'd recommend keeping detailed records of your toll expenses going forward. Since you mentioned $780 in tolls, that's a significant deduction that could definitely swing you from owing to getting a refund. Just make sure you can document that these were all business-related trips if the IRS ever asks. The key thing to remember is that the standard mileage rate covers your vehicle's operating costs, but tolls and parking are considered "above and beyond" expenses that you pay to use your vehicle for business. It's not double-dipping because these costs aren't built into the per-mile calculation.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar boat - just started freelancing and trying to figure out all the tax stuff. One thing I'm still confused about: when you say the deduction is "limited to your business profit," does that mean your gross revenue or your net profit after all business expenses? For example, if my LLC brings in $50,000 in revenue but I have $20,000 in legitimate business expenses (equipment, software, etc.), would my health insurance deduction be limited to $30,000 or $50,000? Also, does anyone know if there's a difference between buying insurance through the marketplace vs. directly from an insurance company when it comes to this deduction? I've been looking at both options and the marketplace seems more complicated with all the subsidy calculations.

I've been following this thread as someone who went through the same confusion last year! One additional consideration that hasn't been mentioned yet: timing matters for the deduction. You can only deduct premiums for months when you were actually self-employed and had no other health coverage available. So if you started your LLC mid-year or had employer coverage for part of the year, you'll need to prorate the deduction accordingly. Also, a practical tip: set up a separate business bank account if you haven't already, and pay your health insurance premiums from that account. It makes record-keeping much cleaner and provides a clear paper trail showing that your business income is what's funding the insurance. The IRS loves good documentation! One more thing - if you're planning to make estimated quarterly tax payments (which you probably should as a self-employed person), factor in the health insurance deduction when calculating those payments. It can significantly reduce what you owe, so don't overpay your quarterlies.