No Original Documents

[Snaggletooth]

One client is bringing me W-2s that he has printed off his computer.

He was notified by his employer in the following fashion: "We have wonderful news! You can now access your W-2s online!! No need to wait for the mail, as you can use your employee # as a PIN and download it for yourself!!"

First of all the "wonderful news" is only for the employer. Employer bails out of postage and printing costs. Large volume issuers such as ADT payroll service and large employers such as WalMart are saving millions.

Secondly, e-filing instructions require us to disclose if we are using something other than an original document. These instructions have been in place since the beginning, as they don't want copies of W-2s to proliferate and a taxpayer to attempt to generate multiple refunds, even though the processing usually will detect this.

If we check the box that says we are entering from a handwritten or non-original W-2, what is the effect??

[thomtax]

I don't have a cite, but if this is set up by the employer to be downloaded, my feelings are that this IS an original W2. I have known many military people that only have this option to get their W2. And it obviously is not hand written.

LT

[Koss]

Electronic W-2

The PDF of your client's Form W-2 is an original document.

Original documents can be in an electronic format.

Even if it is not considered an original document, it doesn't matter. We have always been permitted to use photocopies of Form W-2 for electronic filing. A document that is printed from a PDF is either an original document or it is a copy.

It is not a nonstandard document. Publication 1345 defines a nonstandard document as one that is altered, handwritten, or typed. A copy, or a computer-generated form, is not a nonstandard document.

BMK

[Jesse]

It is not a nonstandard document. Publication 1345 defines a nonstandard document as one that is altered, handwritten, or typed. A copy, or a computer-generated form, is not a nonstandard document.

BMK

Shewww - I thought it was one of those "Oh s**t" moments. I have never checked the nonstandard box when I have filed from a copy or downloaded W-2!

[RitaB]

I would be rich

"Oh s**t" moments.

Wish I had a nickel for every one of these I've had. LOL.

[Jesse]

First of all the "wonderful news" is only for the employer. Employer bails out of postage and printing costs. Large volume issuers such as ADT payroll service and large employers such as WalMart are saving millions.

Agree with you 100% - it's a pain when the client comes in with no W-2 but instead the instructions on how to download the W-2.

I know you can charge for the extra service, but I do have compassion for these people such as the WalMart employees in our area as many are struggling financially to begin with, no computer or internet access, and I have yet to see any one of them with a W-2 indicating they are being generously paid.

[FEDUKE404]

W2 Pdf

I tend to agree that a printed PDF of a W2/1099R whatever is fine as an "original."

Truth being, as noted by others, in many cases there is NO original document in the first place. It lives only in the mind of the computers.

One caveat: Be sure what you have is a tax document, and not something like a YTD summary or similar.

Yep - the times they are a'changing...

FE

[Jesse]

Wish I had a nickel for every one of these I've had. LOL.

Me toooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ToledoEd]

Wish I had a nickel for every one of these I've had. LOL.

Maybe you should raise your rates?

[taxea]

Shewww - I thought it was one of those "Oh s**t" moments. I have never checked the nonstandard box when I have filed from a copy or downloaded W-2!

That was the right thing to do. IRS has long accepted faxed or scanned signatures and documents. I wish I could convince my state to do the same.

[Bonnie]

I always let customers go on line if need be and download and print a W-2 from my office. Doesn't happen often. This past week had one come who didn't have document and told him he could use my computer to get it. He thought I could do it for him. I don't know anything about your account or password, etc. So he tried but couldn't access site because he didn't know his user ID or password. Said he had all that saved in his computer at home. Told him he'd have to go home and find it and come back when he has W-2 or info to get it.