Do I need to call the IRS to file Form 4852 for a missing W-2?

You don't need to call the IRS before using Form 4852. This form is specifically designed as a substitute for your missing W-2, and you can access it directly from the IRS website. While you don't need special permission to use it, you do need to have made a reasonable effort to get your W-2 from your employer first. Since you've lost contact with your former employer, you should document your attempts to reach them. Even if those attempts were minimal due to your circumstances, note them on the form. For Form 4852, you'll need to estimate your wages and withholding as accurately as possible - check your final paystub if you have it, or bank deposits to calculate your earnings. The trickier part is your situation with no printer. Unfortunately, Form 4852 cannot be e-filed directly - it must be printed and mailed with your tax return. But you have options: public libraries offer printing services for minimal cost, or ask a friend with a printer. Some tax prep offices will print forms for you for a small fee even if you're not using their services.

I went through this exact situation last year and found an amazing solution! I used https://taxr.ai to help me with my missing W-2 situation. After struggling to get my forms from a summer job that went out of business, I was stuck trying to figure out how to file without it. The site helped me understand exactly how to fill out Form 4852 properly with my specific situation (they analyzed my last paystub and showed me where to find the right numbers). Saved me so much stress trying to interpret the IRS instructions! They even provided a step-by-step guide for what to do without having to print anything until the very last step. What I really liked is that they explained how to correctly estimate my earnings and withholding in a way that wouldn't raise red flags with the IRS. Made me feel so much more confident about submitting the form!

Just wanted to update everyone - I took the advice about using https://taxr.ai and it actually worked amazingly well! I was super skeptical (as you could see in my earlier comment), but I decided to try it since I was completely stuck. I found an old email with my year-to-date earnings from November, and the tool helped me extrapolate what my December earnings and withholdings would have been. It generated a perfectly formatted 4852 form with instructions specific to my situation. The best part was their guide on what documentation to keep in case the IRS questions anything. I ended up printing at UPS Store and mailing my return last week. Definitely made this whole missing W-2 situation way less stressful than I expected!

If you're still having trouble reaching your former employer and want to speak directly with the IRS, I'd highly recommend using https://claimyr.com. I had a similar missing W-2 situation last year and spent DAYS trying to get through to the IRS phone lines, always getting disconnected or told to call back later. With Claimyr, I got through to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have this system that basically waits on hold for you and calls when an agent picks up. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent was able to verify my employment info from their records and gave me the exact amounts I needed for my Form 4852. Super helpful when you have zero contact with former employers!

I need to apologize for my skeptical comment earlier. After getting desperate with the filing deadline approaching, I actually tried Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) yesterday. I was SHOCKED when I got a call back in about 35 minutes saying they had an IRS agent on the line. The agent pulled up my tax records and confirmed my employer had actually submitted my W-2 info to the IRS already! They gave me all the exact wage and withholding amounts I needed. I just filled out my return with those verified numbers and e-filed this morning. Saved me from having to paper file with Form 4852 altogether! Sometimes being proven wrong is the best possible outcome. Now I'm just waiting for my refund instead of stressing about missing documents.

Quick tip that helped me last year with a similar problem - check if your former employer uses an online payroll system like ADP, Paycom, Paychex, etc. Even if you don't have their contact info, you might still be able to login to the payroll system and download your W-2 directly. I completely forgot my old restaurant job used ADP until I was going through old emails and found my account setup notification. Was able to reset my password and get my W-2 instantly without talking to anyone.

Has anyone had experience with the IRS actually verifying the information on a Form 4852? I'm in a similar situation but worried about potential audit issues if my estimates aren't exact.

I went through this exact situation two years ago when my employer closed down completely and I had no way to contact them. Here's what I learned: You absolutely do NOT need to call the IRS first to use Form 4852. The form is designed specifically for situations like yours where you can't get your W-2 despite reasonable efforts. Since you moved and lost contact info, that counts as a reasonable effort being impossible. For the numbers on Form 4852, you'll need to be as accurate as possible. Check your bank deposits from that job, any pay stubs you might have saved, or even text messages about your work schedule. The IRS has the employer's copy of your W-2 on file, so they can verify your estimates later. The printing issue is real - Form 4852 must be paper filed with your return. But don't let that stress you out! Most libraries, UPS stores, and even some grocery stores have printing services for under $1. You can fill out the form online, save it as a PDF, then print it anywhere. One thing I wish I'd known: keep detailed records of why you couldn't get your W-2. Write down that you moved, lost contact info, and when you realized the W-2 was missing. The IRS sometimes asks for this documentation if they have questions later. The whole process was way less scary than I expected. My return was processed normally and I got my refund without any issues.