Feeling a little lost about your W-2 on TurboTax? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many users have questions about accessing their W-2 information within the platform. Let's clear things up and guide you through the process, step by step.
It's crucial to understand a key point upfront: TurboTax itself does not store a copy of your actual W-2 form. Your W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) is issued by your employer, and while TurboTax can import the data from it, it doesn't keep an image or PDF of the physical document. Think of TurboTax as a sophisticated data entry and calculation tool for your tax return, not a document storage facility for your W-2s.
So, if TurboTax doesn't store your W-2, how do you "look at" it on TurboTax? You're essentially looking at the information derived from your W-2 that was entered into your tax return. This could be through direct import, manual entry, or by snapping a photo.
Let's dive into the various scenarios and how you can access that W-2 information.
How to Access W-2 Information on TurboTax: A Step-by-Step Guide
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| How To Look At W2 On Turbotax |
Step 1: Identify Your Current Situation and What You Need
Before we proceed, let's figure out why you want to look at your W-2 on TurboTax. Are you:
Trying to enter your W-2 for the current tax year? This is the most common scenario, and TurboTax makes it quite easy to get your W-2 data in.
Trying to review a W-2 that was already entered for the current tax year, but you haven't filed yet? Perhaps you need to double-check something.
Trying to access W-2 information from a prior tax year after you've already filed? This is a bit different, as the actual W-2 document isn't stored.
Looking for a copy of your W-2 because you lost the physical one? If so, TurboTax isn't the primary source for the actual document.
Once you know your need, you can follow the relevant steps below.
Step 2: Entering or Reviewing Your W-2 for the Current Tax Year (Before Filing)
This is where TurboTax truly shines in simplifying the process.
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
Sub-heading: Importing Your W-2 (The Easiest Way!)
Log In to Your TurboTax Account: Go to the TurboTax website (turbotax.intuit.com) and sign in using your User ID and password.
Navigate to the Income Section: Once logged in, if you're starting a new return or continuing one, you'll typically be guided through sections like "Federal Taxes" or "Wages & Income." Look for a section related to "Wages and Salaries" or "W-2." You can often type "W-2" into the search bar within TurboTax and select the "Jump to" link.
Initiate the W-2 Entry: You'll likely see a screen titled "Let's Work on Your W-2" or similar. Select the option to "Work on my W-2 now" or "Add another W-2" if you've already entered one.
Choose the Import Option: TurboTax will then ask how you'd like to enter your W-2. The most convenient way is to import it. Select this option.
Enter Your Employer's EIN: You'll need your employer's Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is a 9-digit number found in Box b of your physical W-2 form. Carefully enter this number.
Follow the Prompts for Security: For security reasons, TurboTax may ask for additional information from your W-2, such as the amount in Box 1 or a control number (Box D). This helps verify your identity and ensure you're authorized to import the W-2.
Review and Verify: Once the import is complete, TurboTax will populate the relevant fields with your W-2 data. It's absolutely critical to compare the imported information against your physical W-2 form. While imports are generally accurate, errors can occur, and ultimately, you are responsible for the information on your tax return. Make any necessary edits.
Save and Continue: After verifying, save your changes and continue with your tax return. The W-2 data is now part of your tax calculation.
Sub-heading: Manually Entering Your W-2
If your employer doesn't support direct import to TurboTax, or if you prefer to type it in yourself:
Follow Steps 1-3 from the "Importing" section above.
Choose the Manual Entry Option: When prompted, select "Type it in myself" or "Enter by hand."
Enter Information from Each Box: TurboTax will present a digital W-2 form. Carefully enter the corresponding information from each box of your physical W-2 into the designated fields. Take your time and double-check every number.
Review and Continue: After entering all the information, review it thoroughly for accuracy before proceeding.
Sub-heading: Using the TurboTax Mobile App (Snap a Photo!)
The TurboTax mobile app offers a fantastic feature to quickly enter your W-2:
Download and Open the TurboTax App: Get it from your app store and sign in.
Navigate to the W-2 Section: Similar to the desktop version, find the section for W-2 entry.
Choose "Snap a Photo": The app will give you an option to take a photo of your W-2.
Align and Capture: Position your W-2 within the guidelines on your screen and snap a clear photo.
Review and Verify: The app uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to extract the data. Always review the extracted data carefully against your physical W-2 to ensure accuracy. Make corrections if needed.
Step 3: Accessing W-2 Information After Filing (Prior Year Returns)
This is where it gets a bit trickier, as TurboTax doesn't retain the actual W-2 document. However, it does retain the data from your W-2 as part of your filed tax return.
Sub-heading: Viewing Your Filed Tax Return PDF
The best way to "look at" your W-2 information from a prior filed return is to access the PDF copy of your complete tax return. The W-2 information you entered will be included in the worksheets or as part of the income summary within that PDF.
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
Log In to Your TurboTax Account: Go to myturbotax.intuit.com and sign in.
Go to "Your Tax Returns & Documents": On your "Tax Home" or dashboard, look for a section like "Your Tax Returns & Documents" or "Prior Year Returns."
Select the Relevant Tax Year: Choose the tax year for which you want to view the W-2 information.
Download/Print Return (PDF): Look for an option that says "Download/print return (PDF)" or similar.
Locate W-2 Information: Once you open the PDF, you'll need to scroll through it. The W-2 information will typically be found in the "Wages and Salaries" section or on supporting worksheets that detail your income. It won't be an image of your W-2, but rather the data points (Box 1 wages, Box 2 federal tax withheld, etc.) that you entered.
Sub-heading: What if you can't find it in TurboTax?
If you absolutely cannot find the W-2 information you need within your TurboTax account's PDF, you have other avenues:
Contact Your Employer: The most direct way to get a copy of your W-2 is to contact your employer's HR or payroll department. They are legally required to provide you with a copy.
Request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS: The IRS keeps records of W-2 information reported by employers. You can request a "Wage and Income Transcript" for free from the IRS. This transcript will show the income information the IRS received from your employer, though it won't be an actual copy of the W-2. You can get this online at IRS.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript or by mail.
Request a Copy of Your Tax Return from the IRS: For a fee, you can request an actual copy of your entire filed tax return from the IRS, which will include copies of your W-2s if they were submitted with your return (e.g., if you paper-filed). This is done using Form 4506.
Step 4: Saving Your W-2 for Future Reference (Crucial!)
As mentioned, TurboTax does not save a copy or image of your W-2 form. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep your own records.
Physical Copy: Always save the original W-2 form your employer sends you in a safe place.
Digital Copy: Scan your W-2 and save it as a PDF on your computer, cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox), or an external hard drive. Name it clearly (e.g., "W2_EmployerName_2024.pdf"). This makes it easy to retrieve if needed.
By following these steps and understanding how TurboTax handles W-2 information, you'll be well-equipped to manage your tax documents efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to get a copy of my W-2 if I lost it?
Contact your employer's payroll or HR department first. If that's not possible, you can request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS or a full tax return copy (for a fee).
Tip: Break it down — section by section.
How to import my W-2 into TurboTax?
Log into TurboTax, navigate to the W-2 section, choose "Import," and enter your employer's EIN (Box b on your W-2). Follow the security prompts to complete the import.
How to manually enter W-2 information in TurboTax?
After selecting to add a W-2, choose the option to "Type it in myself" and carefully enter the data from each box of your physical W-2 into the corresponding fields in TurboTax.
How to view W-2 details after filing my taxes with TurboTax?
You cannot view an actual image of your W-2 in TurboTax after filing. However, you can download the PDF of your complete tax return from your TurboTax account, which will contain the W-2 data you entered in its income summary or worksheets.
How to find my employer's EIN for W-2 import?
Your employer's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is located in Box b of your physical W-2 form.
How to use the TurboTax mobile app to enter my W-2?
QuickTip: Revisit posts more than once.
Open the TurboTax mobile app, navigate to the W-2 section, select "Snap a Photo," and take a clear picture of your W-2. Review the extracted data for accuracy.
How to get a prior year's W-2 from TurboTax?
TurboTax does not store images of past W-2s. You can access the data from your past W-2s by downloading the PDF of your complete tax return from the relevant tax year in your TurboTax account.
How to get a W-2 if my former employer went out of business?
If your former employer is no longer in business, your best bet is to request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS, as they receive copies of all W-2s.
How to correct a W-2 entered incorrectly in TurboTax?
If you haven't filed yet, go back to the W-2 section in TurboTax, select the W-2, and edit the incorrect information. If you've already filed and the return was accepted, you'll need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X).
How to ensure my W-2 information is accurate in TurboTax?
Always compare the data imported or manually entered into TurboTax against your physical W-2 form. Double-check every box, especially wages, federal tax withheld, and state tax withheld.
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