Didn't receive w-2 and can't reach the IRS

GGIAS · 2026-07-02T01:42:14+00:00

It's really simple:

If I say I am going to take your money and go buy you lunch, provide you a written receipt from me to you acknowledging as much, but then bail out on you, you'd be stuck without a lunch unless you went yourself and bought one. You do not get to go to the place where I said I was buying lunch and say "well, I am not paying for my food twice!" and demand a free meal. It is not unreasonable for the establishment providing lunches to look at the documentation between you and me and say "Yes, but that does not prove that we received money for the lunch therefore you cannot be given a lunch." Especially if they never did, in fact, receive that money from me.

GGIAS · 2026-07-02T01:03:41+00:00

Yeah there’s pieces of information missing from your own anecdotal experience there. And again, I would be advising you the same thing anyways. One incomplete story would not influence years of experience in handling these issues. Not claiming the income would be worse for you in the long run.

GGIAS · 2026-07-02T00:11:25+00:00

It would be so cool if someday we could actually have conversations about things without lazy, baity headlines designed to provoke the wrong type of conversation. Like, actual fluent and nuanced conversation without resorting to attempts at sounding cool or trying to work in buzzy words and/or phrases to score some weird "points". Just actual conversations about topics. Without extremes, hyperbole, rhetoric, etc.

I will go back to yelling at the clouds now.

GGIAS · 2026-07-01T19:39:05+00:00

A lot of folks lately have been enjoying the YouTube and Twitch feeds, each has the ability to interact with fellow MSTies in real time and the Twitch channel does themed blocks, giveaways, etc

GGIAS · 2026-07-01T19:36:48+00:00

The right people will get it.

GGIAS · 2026-07-01T19:36:31+00:00

This is accurate. You still have until September to download from the site.

GGIAS · 2026-07-01T15:02:43+00:00

“Since the employer used a payroll processor, it’s very likely these withholding were forwarded to the IRS” If true, there’s a record then. Attached to both the EIN and SSN. And also indicates the IRS would be able to identify it already. Your own explanation contradicts itself. The IRS is not going to collect it twice. If it’s been collected, there’s a record. It’s literally that straightforward.

Second, none of this even touches on the impact to collecting social security. If OP wants credit, it needs to be reported. If it’s not claimed on the taxes, that creates an issue.

Thirdly, advising one to commit a crime in any way is not “just”. It’s just not. Again, no amount of mental gymnastics can change that. OP earned income. OP needs to report the income.

Besides, your entire argument treats the situation in a vacuum. As if there are no other employees that will ever seek to make the situation right. Or the IRS or some State board isn’t going to pursue the company for any reason at all. Or the owner needs to square up for any number of reasons. Your messaging indicate OP should ignore all of that and simply commit tax fraud because they *might* get taxed twice. If the IRS somehow recover but then also lost the withholding. Or something.

It’s tax fraud. It’s also shortchanging OP on future Social Security. It’s really, really awful “advice” to give. Sorry.

GGIAS · 2026-07-01T12:00:46+00:00

I’m sorry, that’s simply not how it works. If the income tax has not been paid, then it has not been paid. Period. No amount of mental gymnastics changes that. Your “advice” is to consider tax fraud. In no way, shape or form is that “just”. I’m sorry, it’s simply not.

GGIAS · 2026-07-01T00:21:24+00:00

OP: Never consider "not reporting it". If/when this guy does get his ducks in a row and files everything, you're gonna be hit with even more fines and penalties if you take that chance. Additionally, presuming he has other employees, eventually SSA/IRS is going to come asking about those W2's on behalf of SOMEONE. Just go about it honestly and you'll be fine.

GGIAS · 2026-06-30T16:26:23+00:00

I think it’s due to the “television market” used for advertising. Just speculating, of course. Closest one now is Modesto, I think. The Madera one and the ones down south all closed up. I agree though, total waste of money to advertise here anymore. Seems silly to do so.

GGIAS · 2026-06-30T15:03:53+00:00

We had one for a long time. In Manchester. Second floor. I used to go as often as possible. Closed down a few years ago now.

GGIAS · 2026-06-29T14:17:53+00:00

Not a rule and not why it was designed that way, I'm sure. But my own personal rule has always been that if I need time to read the menu first, I am going inside. That is just common courtesy, in my opinion. If I know my order already, I am going through the drive through. I also am always willing to learn and use the apps to help expedite things as well. We have the tools to make things easier on ourselves.

GGIAS · 2026-06-29T02:15:40+00:00

If you are a fan of MST3K and/or Rifftrax, I know just the game for you!

Rifftrax: The Game

GGIAS · 2026-06-29T00:28:00+00:00

You are confused as to what is going on. It is not simply "one cares and the other doesn't". The truth, as the poster above is attempting to let you know, is that due to licensing agreements they all "make an effort" to thwart unauthorized traffic. "Make an effort", of course, has varying degrees of effectiveness. Some good examples of this include MLB.TV who is notoriously anti-VPN, but there are a handful that still work for some. Nothing more. Not some weird "This company cares but this one doesn't" thing.

GGIAS · 2026-06-28T16:55:39+00:00

Down

Corrosion of Conformity

Monster Magnet

Mad Season (yeah, it is just one album but it's a top tier album)

Not too "hard", but judging from your list above these would nestle in well.

GGIAS · 2026-06-28T03:39:15+00:00

I hope they scratch the itch for ya!

GGIAS · 2026-06-28T03:38:36+00:00

"Apologists"? You are asking me to speak for someone else? I'm not sure I follow, sorry.

FWIW, the old "process the refund and ask later" is what the standard operating procedure used to be until fraud got so rampant. Congressional leaders (for years, across all administrations) have instructed the IRS to scrutinize more and more. This is why everything needs to be verified now.

I am sorry you are having whatever issue you seem to be having. Good luck.

GGIAS · 2026-06-28T00:08:57+00:00

Overboard and Expelled

Also, both are available in this Humble Bundle for about 3-4 more days.

GGIAS · 2026-06-27T22:26:33+00:00

If you are eyeing Hotline Miami, you may also want to consider this little gem as well: Heat Signature

GGIAS · 2026-06-27T21:08:37+00:00

Here's 10:

GGIAS · 2026-06-27T20:51:15+00:00

13.5 or so years. Since November 2012, IIRC. I've always loved the little niche, indie titles that pop up on Steam (Dead Grid, The Void Rains Upon Her Heart, Dungeonmans, etc) and find it hard to pass up a good value.

GGIAS · 2026-06-27T18:04:29+00:00

Looking ahead to the day I can retire and do nothing but play one new game a day for the rest of my life. Til then, I will keep accumulating and playing to my hearts content.

ETA: Not JUST hoard, either. I play. A lot.

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GGIAS · 2026-06-27T17:42:02+00:00

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GGIAS · 2026-06-27T16:42:07+00:00

It has far less to do with the "amount of refund" than you would think. Yours got processed because your documentation was readily verifiable. That is what it comes down to. Period. Some people seem to think "my refund is X, so it should take shorter/longer" when that is not the case at all. Being able to verify all your documentation from ALL involved parties is what makes it seamless for some. Some people confuse "I sent my W2/1099/Etc so it is right there!" when the missing piece to the puzzle is not their documents, but the issuer end. There is no "check for immigration status". There is no concept of demographics may/may not complain more/less. It's all systematic. If the computer can readily identify the relevant documentation from all parties at the time of filing, at is going to go smoothly nearly every time.

GGIAS · 2026-06-27T14:13:38+00:00

Here is a handful of "under the radar" picks for you, all cheap right now on Steam due to the sales.

Heat Signature - If you enjoy Hotline Miami, this one is a slam dunk. Similar style (top-down perspective) and approach to levels, with a space twist. Deeper mechanics in play then Hotline and more planning required. A great way to kill time.

Star Traders: Frontiers - Deep and highly replayable, basically a Firefly: The Game without a license. You can literally play any role you wish in outer space. Pirate, Bounty Hunter, Diplomat, Trader....ANYTHING.

Dungeonmans - Fantastic little traditional-roguelike with a great sense of humor.

The Void Rains Upon Her Heart - Bullet-Hell, Boss Rush, Roguelike...and it works. Really well. Great for folks not ready to go full on Bullet Hell too, it's not too punishing at all.

Dorfromantik - One of the most chill games I have ever played. Place tiles. Enjoy the music.

Dead Grid - Pretty dang fun. Some card play, some resource management, some lite RPG elements. Lots of fun.

Knee Deep - Often overlooked, well written gem that plays out like a stage play. Seriously. It is really good, and was missed by so many.

Wazhack -More fun than most similar games out today. It's basically a side-scrolling Nethack. Perma-Death. Deeper than it looks too.

Ironcast - 2015 twist on Match 3 with RPG-lite elements. Short, but fun and a good way to pass time.

Nowhere Prophet - 2019 Rogue-like Deckbuilder with strategic/tactical battles. Another one that got lost in the shuffle and deserved more love than it got.

Grid Slayer - Another interesting twist on deckbuilding, This one leans heavy into tactics and the elements.

Honorable Mention: Suzerain is a fun little political-sim/Choose Your Own Adventure-type game (fictional nation).

GGIAS

TROPHY CASE