Help! My employer put the wrong SSN on my W2 and I already filed my state and federal taxes

This happens more than you'd think! First, don't panic - this is fixable, though it will cause some delay in processing your return. Here's what you should do: 1) Contact your employer immediately and request a corrected W-2 (called a W-2c). They are required to issue this when there are errors on your original W-2. 2) Once you receive the W-2c, you'll need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) for your federal taxes. You'll also need to check with your state's tax agency about their amendment process as it varies by state. 3) Include a brief explanation with your amended returns stating that you received a W-2 with an incorrect SSN and are submitting the correction. The IRS will likely reject your original return due to the SSN mismatch before you even file the amendment, or it will get flagged during processing. Either way, filing the amendment proactively is the right move. Keep in mind that amended returns take longer to process - currently about 16 weeks or more. Electronic amendments are processed faster than paper ones.

I went through something similar with a messed up W2 last year and I was totally stressing about it too. A friend recommended I try taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to help figure out next steps. It was actually super helpful because it analyzed my situation and gave me specific instructions for my case. What I liked was that it told me exactly what forms I needed based on my specific situation with the wrong SSN, and even helped me understand how to fill them out properly. It saved me from making more mistakes when trying to fix the original problem. They have this document review feature that can check your W2 against previous years' information and highlight discrepancies, which helped confirm the error wasn't on my end.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. It was honestly really helpful for my situation with the California amended return. The step-by-step guidance was exactly what I needed - it even pointed out that I needed to include a specific cover letter explaining the SSN correction which I wouldn't have known otherwise. The document analysis caught another mistake on my original filing that I hadn't even noticed (a transposed number in my federal withholding amount). Definitely made the whole amendment process less stressful than I expected!

I had the exact same issue back in January and spent WEEKS trying to get through to the IRS to make sure I was handling it correctly. Kept hitting that "call volumes are too high" message and getting disconnected. So frustrating. Finally found this service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of calling for days. They have this demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent confirmed I needed to get the W-2c from my employer first, then file the 1040-X amendment. They also told me I should include a statement explaining what happened and to expect about 4 months processing time (which was actually accurate in my case).

Alright I'll admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After my snarky comment, I decided to try it anyway because I was desperate to talk to someone about my own tax issue (unrelated to OP but also needed to speak to IRS). Got through to an agent in about 35 minutes when I had been trying for literally DAYS on my own. The agent confirmed exactly what to do about my missed RMD from my inherited IRA and potentially avoiding the penalty. For what it's worth, the IRS agent I spoke with said wrong SSN issues are super common and as long as you get the W-2c and file the amendment, it all gets sorted out eventually. Just takes patience while they process everything.

My girlfriend works in payroll and says this happens ALL THE TIME. Usually it's a simple typo when entering data into the payroll system. One thing to watch out for - make sure the corrected W-2 (W-2c) shows both the incorrect SSN that was originally reported AND the correct SSN. This is important because it helps the IRS match up and correct their records properly. Also, don't throw away the original incorrect W-2! You'll need to submit it with your amended return as well as the corrected one.

One thing nobody mentioned - if you used tax software to file, you can usually amend through the same software! Much easier than doing a paper amendment. Most of the major ones (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc) have an amendment feature that walks you through the process. Just be prepared that your amended return won't be eligible for e-filing. Even if you do it through software, you'll need to print and mail the 1040-X.

Make sure you also contact Social Security Administration! A lot of people forget this step. Your W-2 info gets reported to them as well as the IRS, and it's important that your earnings are properly credited to your Social Security record. You can call them at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office. Bring both the incorrect W-2 and the corrected W-2c when you get it. They can verify that your earnings are properly recorded under your correct SSN.

This is definitely stressful but you're not alone - SSN errors on W-2s are more common than you'd think! Here's what I'd recommend based on what others have shared: 1. Contact your employer ASAP for a W-2c (corrected W-2). Be polite but firm about the urgency since this affects your refund timing. 2. Don't panic about your filed return yet. If you e-filed, the IRS will likely reject it automatically due to the SSN mismatch, which actually makes things easier since you won't need to amend. If it goes through processing, you'll need to file a 1040-X amendment. 3. Keep detailed records of everything - the original incorrect W-2, the corrected W-2c when you get it, and all correspondence with your employer. One thing I learned from my own tax issues is that the IRS is actually pretty understanding about genuine errors like this. They see it all the time. The key is being proactive about fixing it rather than hoping it goes unnoticed. Also, definitely check your "Where's My Refund" status online regularly. If your return was accepted despite the error, you'll probably see it get flagged for manual review, which will delay processing but isn't the end of the world. Hang in there - this will get sorted out, it just might take a bit longer than originally planned!