Need help with lost W2G from MGM Grand slot win - tax filing issues

You have a few options here. First, you can actually estimate the W2G amount if you remember how much you won and file your taxes with that figure. The IRS generally just wants to make sure you're reporting the income. If you do this, make a note in your tax software that you're using an estimated amount because the casino hasn't provided a replacement W2G. Most tax software has a section for notes or explanations. Be as accurate as possible with your estimate. Another option is to file an extension using Form 4868, which gives you until October 15 to file your return. This doesn't extend the time to pay taxes owed, but it gives you more time to track down the document. Finally, you could also try calling MGM's corporate office rather than just the local tax department. Sometimes escalating to a higher level gets faster results. Ask to speak with someone in the corporate tax department who can help with W2G reissues.

I had almost the same issue last year with a W2G from Caesars Palace. What worked for me was using taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) - they have this feature where you can enter your info and they'll actually search for and retrieve your missing gambling tax documents. I was skeptical at first but uploaded my ID and some basic info, and they were able to pull my missing W2G within a couple days. Apparently they have some way to securely access the casino's reporting systems that we don't have as individuals. Saved me a ton of headache and I didn't have to keep calling the casino's unhelpful tax department.

Just wanted to update here - I took the advice about taxr.ai and tried it out yesterday. I was missing W2Gs from both Harrah's and a smaller casino called Evangeline Downs in Louisiana. I'm honestly shocked at how easy it was! It took maybe 10 minutes to set up my account and verify my identity, and this morning I already had both of my missing W2Gs in my account. They even formatted them so they look exactly like the originals. Just downloaded the PDFs and uploaded them straight to TurboTax. Wish I'd known about this weeks ago instead of spending hours on the phone with casino accounting departments!

If you're still having trouble getting through to MGM, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation trying to contact the IRS about missing tax documents, and it was impossible to get through on their regular lines. Claimyr basically calls for you and navigates all those annoying phone trees, then calls you when they have an actual human on the line. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c For me, they got through to an IRS agent in about 45 minutes when I had been trying for DAYS. I'd imagine it works the same for casino tax departments. Might be worth a shot if you're still getting the runaround from MGM.

I hate to admit when I'm wrong, but I have to follow up on my skeptical comment yesterday. After struggling for literally 3 more hours trying to reach the IRS about my missing 1099-R, I broke down and tried Claimyr. I'm still in shock - their system called me back in 37 minutes with an actual IRS human on the line! The agent was able to confirm all my tax document information, including a W2G I'd forgotten about from a small win last summer. For anyone dealing with the MGM situation or any tax document issue requiring phone calls, this is absolutely worth it. I've probably spent 15+ hours on hold this tax season, and this service just saved me from wasting another day. Definitely using this for all my IRS calls from now on.

Another option nobody's mentioned - check your player's card account online! Many casinos now have tax documents available in your online gambling account. I was able to download all my W2Gs from Boyd properties this way. Not sure if MGM offers this, but worth checking your online account on their website if you haven't already. Sometimes they hide these features in the account settings or under a "tax documents" tab.

Just so you know, casinos are REQUIRED to provide duplicate W2Gs upon request within a reasonable timeframe. The fact that MGM is giving you the runaround is actually not ok from a regulatory standpoint. If you want to put some pressure on them, mention that you'll be contacting the gaming control board in Nevada about their failure to provide tax documents. That usually lights a fire under them.

I went through something similar with a different casino last year. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Send a certified letter to MGM's corporate headquarters requesting the duplicate W2G. This creates a paper trail and shows you're serious. 2. In the letter, reference IRS Publication 15-A which requires payers to furnish corrected or duplicate forms "promptly" upon request. 3. Give them a specific deadline (like 10 business days) and mention that you'll need to file your taxes with an estimated amount if they don't respond by then. 4. Keep copies of everything - your original requests, their non-responses, call logs, etc. The IRS will accept this documentation if there are ever any questions about your estimated filing. The certified letter approach worked for me when months of phone calls didn't. Something about the formality and paper trail seems to get their attention. You can still file with your best estimate if they don't respond in time - just make sure to document your good faith efforts to get the actual form.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with a missing W2G from Caesar's Palace. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there were services like taxr.ai that could actually retrieve missing gambling tax documents for you. The certified letter approach also makes a lot of sense. I've been calling their tax department for weeks with no luck, but a formal written request with specific regulatory references seems like it would carry more weight. One question for the group - has anyone had success getting expedited processing by explaining that you're facing a deadline? I'm also pregnant and trying to get everything sorted before my leave starts. I'm wondering if mentioning that might help prioritize the request, or if that's not really a factor they consider. Also, for those who went the estimation route - did you round up or down when you weren't sure of the exact amount? I remember my win being somewhere between $1,200-$1,400 but can't recall the precise figure.

I work for a tax preparation service and see this issue every tax season unfortunately. A few additional points that might help: If you decide to go with the estimation approach, make sure to keep detailed records of your attempts to get the actual W2G. Screenshot those automated email responses from MGM, save voicemails if you can, and document the dates/times of your calls. This creates a "reasonable cause" defense if there are ever any questions about why you estimated. Also, when estimating gambling winnings, remember that the W2G amount might be slightly different than what you actually received due to tax withholdings. If they withheld federal or state taxes from your $1,800 win, the gross amount on the W2G would still be $1,800, but your net payout would have been less. Just something to keep in mind when trying to recall the exact figures. One more thing - if MGM eventually provides the W2G after you've already filed with an estimate, you can file an amended return (Form 1040X) if there's a significant difference. Small variances usually aren't worth amending for, but if you were off by more than $100 or so, it might be worth correcting. The certified letter approach mentioned by others is definitely your best bet for getting their attention. Corporate legal departments take formal written requests much more seriously than phone calls.

I've been following this thread as someone who handles tax document issues professionally, and wanted to add a few key points that haven't been fully covered: First, regarding the IRS telling you they can't provide W2G info until May - that's actually incorrect. The IRS can provide wage and income transcripts (which include gambling winnings) much earlier than May. You can request them online through your IRS account at irs.gov, by phone, or by mail using Form 4506-T. The transcript will show what MGM reported to the IRS for your gambling winnings. Second, if you're going to estimate and file, I'd strongly recommend using your bank records or credit card statements to help nail down the exact amount. Look for the deposit or cash withdrawal from that day at MGM - this can help you get much closer to the actual figure than just relying on memory. Finally, while the certified letter approach is excellent, you might also want to file a complaint with the Nevada Gaming Control Board simultaneously. Casinos are required to maintain copies of all tax documents for several years and provide duplicates promptly. MGM's lack of response could be a regulatory violation, and gaming boards typically respond quickly to these complaints. Don't stress too much about this - it's more common than you think, and the IRS is generally reasonable when taxpayers make good faith efforts to comply with proper documentation.