Wrong SSN on W2

[erchess]

A returning client who had no probs last year got a W2 this year with wrong SSN. I had them get it replaced but corrected W2 has the same wrong SSN. I am having client try again but what would happen if I went the Substitute W2 route?

[Possi]

It will fly

It will fly on an e-file if you send the W2 in with the right tax ID number, but the client might get a "love letter" afterward (if it is not corrected by the employer).

That would be because you are claiming withholding that will not have been properly contributed under client's tax ID number.

[JG EA]

I have had this problem in the past and learned you can' t transmit a wrong SS#.

That's one of the reasons why the IRS says you must have your W-2's before you efile. We are supposed to put the correct number on. The number that is on the W-2.

I think the only recourse is to have the thing corrected by the employer and then efile.

I would do the substitute only if the employer was uncooperative - not just inefficient.

[taxea]

if the correct number is not on the w-2 from the employer the employee will not get credit for the income with SSA. Don't forget that the correction goes to IRS, SSA and employee.
I would ask the hotline prior to doing a sub.

[ChEAr$]

I have had this problem in the past and learned you can' t transmit a wrong SS#.

That's one of the reasons why the IRS says you must have your W-2's before you efile. We are supposed to put the correct number on. The number that is on the W-2.

I think the only recourse is to have the thing corrected by the employer and then efile.

I would do the substitute only if the employer was uncooperative - not just inefficient.

Not quite, JG. IRS instructions say to a recipient in case of wrong SSN on a W2, just line through it and write in correct one. With that I can go ahead an efile any return. IRS has no problem with this procedure.

Of course there is a problem with proper credits with SSA, and that is why employee should insist that employer (eventually) make a correction.

[taxxcpa]

Wrong SSN

I had a client who had two W-2 forms with different SSNs. I entered the one with the wrong SSN but changed it to the correct SSN. I had him paper-file it and he had his employer correct it. There was no problem with it.