Goddamn Fucking Walmart!!

[cynatnite]

I'm pissed as hell!

Here is the deal. I'm helping my daughter out with her taxes and since she works at Walmart she had to get her W2 form online. She goes to get it today and come to find out that Walmart goes through a company called W2Express.

In order to get her W2 form she has to pay SEVEN FUCKING BUCKS!!! Since when do people have to pay for their W2 forms? I've never heard of such a thing!

Bunch of greedy bastards! :grr:

[Momgonepostal]

1. Geez, that's ridiculous! nt

[alstephenson]

2. That's absurd! I've never heard of such a thing!

I thought it was a requirement that the EMPLOYER provide W-2s to the employees within a prescribed time......WTF?

[soswolf]

3. If I were you I'd call my local IRS office

I had to track down a W-2, MONTHS after it was owed (the company went out of business, and a local accountant was left to pick up the pieces). I learned a lot about W-2s that year, and how long it should take to get one, what is owed, etc...

You may want to call you local IRS office to make sure if that's the case.

[soswolf]

11. On second thought,

She may have to pay to get it online and early. If she wants to wait for it to be mailed it may be free that way.

I could see a company offering them early for a cost. I disagree with it, but it's possible...

[cascadiance]

57. I still think that questionably favors those with more means...

Even if it is just about "early access", to some of the higher execs in the company, it is a few pennies for them to get their forms earlier and get any refunds they might want to get by filing earlier. For those nearer the bottom of the ladder, they are forced to wait longer to get access to their W2 and get their needed tax refund unless they want to pay that fee which is relatively a lot higher for them than those at the top of the ladder there. In my mind that's economically discriminatory! I think someone should take that to court!

If in fact that is the only way to get their W2, then that is completely illegal, and should definitely be taken to court!

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. It is illegal

It is the employer's legal responsibility to provide the W-2 at their own cost to the employee. If your daughter filed suit, she would win without having to break a sweat.

[wicket]

10. I second this

:kick:

[TornadoTN]

19. Agreed - plus most companies are required to have them out by Feb 1.

IIRC

[spag68]

24. This is the correct answer.

[MiniMe]

32. Actually, January 31

Not that it makes much difference.

[Kali]

28. Bull. Jan 31 deadline for W2s - they will probably mail them free then.

[Morgana LaFey]

49. and she ought to find a good, class action sorta lawyer to do the job

IMO.

[Donnachaidh]

52. yes -- BUT -- Walmart and all employers have till a certain DATE

to get the W2's to their employees. And I don't know of too many who go out of their way to get them out EARLY.

If it was after the date, yeah, she'd have a case. But before? While I think it's reprehensible for Walmart to put this thru another agency that charges, I think she may have trouble arguing about the cost.

Walmart has teams of lawyers out there, looking for every single penny, and every hurdle they can throw out NOT to help their employees beyond a paycheck. WHY is anyone surprized with this?

[liberalhistorian]

53. True enough. Employers are all over the map when it comes

to getting their W2's to their employees. Some get them out first thing in January, others around mid-January, and many others wait until the very last minute they can to get them together and send them. It usually depends on the size of the company, the efficiency of their bookkeeping, and the efficiency of its accountant, since the accountants are the ones who actually do the work of putting them together.

The point is that, by law, employers have until Jan. 31 to send out the W2 forms to their employees. They are not at all obligated to send them out any earlier. They can even get away with sending them a little later into February, although most don't because they also want to get it done and over with. And it is absolutely illegal to charge for regular, mailed W2's. Employers don't even try to get away with that, because they know they'd be smacked down like a fly on picnic food, and they don't want that at all.

As much as I absolutely hate Wal-Mart, and as disgusting as their employee policies and practices are, I don't think even they would try to get away with charging employees for regular, mailed W2 forms. It sounds like the charge was for getting the W2 earlier than usual and online, and not for the regular mailed one.

[redacted]

66. As an employer, that is my understanding. She needs to make a fuss.

BTW I concur it might just be that she has to wait for it to be mailed.

Check this -- I think they need to be mailed by the 31st. Not delivered. So wait a week and see. Or call.

Not sure where you live but the folks at our local IRS office are very helpful.

[driver8]

5. That's bullshit. I would look into that -- it doesn't seem right that you

should have to pay for your W2. I wonder how much of that money goes to Wal Mart?

[Dora]

6. I think that's illegal. Have you called the IRS?

If an employer is required by law to provide this information to employees, then it seems to me that the cost should be borne by the employer, as the burden of responsibility is on them.

I get my W2 online from my employer - but it's on my employer website, and it's free.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

35. Yes - I would think that is illegal. What if there was someone who couldn't afford it?

Not that that is really likely but still.

[Kerrytravelers]

7. That is illegal.

[sandnsea]

8. This doesn't sound right

Tomorrow is the W-2 deadline. If she doesn't have one in the mail, turn them in to the IRS. She's got plenty of time, although I'm sure she'd like her refund sooner.

[rocktivity]

9. That CAN'T be legal

aren't employers REQUIRED to mail them? And by January 31? CALL THE IRS!!!!

(or better yet, the local media...)

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[sabbat hunter]

14. they are not required to mail them

they can hand deliver them to you before jan 31st. otherwise they have to be postmarked by the 31st.

[cascadiance]

59. I have to believe that there are laws against companies "profitting" from mailing out tax forms...

This would be like them putting in bundled advertisements like they do with your credit card statement in their W2 statements. I've never seen that, and I have to believe that the government is very explicit in not allowing something like that. Allowing a second company to make a profit off of you having to use their means to deliver it that is more than the U.S. mail I have to believe is also questionable. Perhaps sending it via FedEX and UPS might be excusable if they are trying to beat the last minute deadline and want to get it to their employees sooner, but as long as THEY take the hit and not the employee.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. That's probably illegal

[Horse with no Name]

13. That can't be legal

At all.
Walmart is supposed to pay their own accountant for these forms.
They cannot charge for it.

[Vox_Reason]

15. Walmart is pure unadulterated evil.

The true cost of things:
http://www.alternativesmagazine.com/30/baynton.html

How Wal-mart is remaking our world:
http://www.theconversation.org/walmart.html

[AndyA]

16. This is illegal.

Companies must provide employees with W-2s at no cost to the employee. And the company must mail them out no later than January 31st.

So, if your daughter doesn't have one in the mail to her by tomorrow at no charge, Wal-Mart is in deep doo doo.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

62. I believe you're correct on that...

but it doesn't surprise me in the least.

On Edit: Just did some checking, and employers have the option of forgoing a hard-copy W2 if the employee chooses to "opt out" of the paper distribution system. But a $7 fee? Possibly legal (depends on what the employee agreed to) but definitely sleezy.

On Edit Edit: More looking, and I found that Steinmart charges a $10 fee for a duplicate W2, which doesn't make it any less sleezy.

[Warpy]

17. FINK THEM OUT

Companies have to supply HARD COPIES of W2 forms. They have a deadline to do so. This online stuff is BULLSHIT.

My guess is that it may be a convenience for people who are in huge hurry to get a tax refund, although I can't imagine one from Walmart employee being over the seven bucks it takes to get an online form.

Forcing an employee to pay for something they are required by law to supply has got to be as illegal as it ever gets.

Call the IRS and COMPLAIN.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

18. Those fucking Waltons . . .

. . . really are the scum of the earth.

Nothing worse than greedy, sanctimonious "Christians" who threaten and persecute their employees.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

20. I'd inquire with the IRS whether this practice...

...is within the law. Sounds illegal.

[pdrichards114]

21. Contact the IRS immediately.

They are breaking the law.

This is straight from the IRS's website on what to do if you don't receive a W2.

I didn't get my W-2 by January 31, so I asked my employer for it, but I still don't have it. What should I do?

If you don't receive your Form W-2 (PDF) by February 15, contact the IRS for assistance at [phone]. Also, you may want to refer to Tax Topic 154, Form W-2 - What To Do if Not Received, to see the specific information the IRS will need in order to prepare a Form 4598, Form W-2, 1098 or 1099 Nor Received, Incorrect, or Lost. You will be sent a copy of Form 4598 along with a Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099R, Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contract, etc.

[cynatnite]

22. UPDATE on progress to get W2...

Made a phone call and was walked through another way of getting the form. We got it and everything's okay now.

Got no answer as to the attempt to squeeze money out of her. Geez, daughter gets meaner than I do. :rofl:

[TomInTib]

29. I wonder how many people bit on the first offer?

Mulitply $7 by all those WM employees, and you are talking major profit.

My condolences to your daughter for her having to work for Satan.

I have never set foot in one of those places.

Went into a Sam's Club once and left feeling as if I had left part of my soul behind.

[cynatnite]

34. It's one of the decent jobs around here...

She doesn't like working for them at all and hopes something else turns up. This really set her off. It's hard telling if other people fell for it. She's going to ask tomorrow when she goes back to work.

[LuckyLib]

55. Print out that "other way", or post it on-line somewhere, available to employees.

Get the information out and bypass this extortion. Then call your state attorney general.

[mnhtnbb]

23. Wal-Mart was required to get her consent. See the link for rules

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p15a/ar01.html

[dysfunctional press]

38. but the consent can be withdrawn...

and it doesn't say that the company is allowed to charge a fee for the service.

[LeFort III]

25. does she have her last pay stub of the year?

All of the information that is needed to do taxes for her is on that. Many tax preparer businesses get to work early using those. I will agree with some posters here that she probably has to pay for the service to get it early, but a free copy of it will likely come in the mail by Feb 3rd or so. There is no way on earth that an employer as large as Wal-Mart could/would do something as sinister as this and not have it make some major waves.

[angstlessk]

26. Whatever happened to the LAW that W2's and 1099's had to be postmarked

no later than 1/31/07? WTF..

[TomInTib]

27. Golly, I wonder who owns W2Express?

$7X all of those employees is a lot of free dollars.

[Jeanette in FL]

33. Here you go

W-2 eXpress® is an outsourced service from TALX Corporation that automates the W-2 process, including printing and distributing original statements, reissuing W-2s, and facilitating corrections.
W-2 eXpress lets employees print original W-2 Wage and Tax Statements via the Web. W-2 reissues are immediately delivered to employees via the Web, fax, or mail. For W-2 corrections, W-2 eXpress posts detailed information on a secure Web site for the employer to review and approve. Most features are available both online and through any touch-tone telephone.

W-2 eXpress is available as a set of bundled services or on a per feature basis. For example, if you process a large number of reissues every year, but only a few corrections, W-2 eXpress can meet your payroll department's unique needs. You determine which services work best for your organization.

Client Profile & Competitive Advantages of W-2 eXpress

Detailed Service Features

http://w2express.com/

[Jeanette in FL]

30. Here is some info for you

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/iw2w3.pdf

Furnishing Form W-2 to employees electronically. You may set up a system to furnish Forms W-2 electronically to employees who choose to receive them in that format. Each employee participating must consent (or receive confirmation of any consent made using a paper document) electronically, and you must notify the employees of all hardware and software requirements to receive the forms. You may not send a Form W-2 electronically to any employee who does not consent or who has revoked consent previously provided. To furnish Forms W-2 electronically, you must meet the following disclosure requirements and provide a clear and conspicuous statement of each of them to your employees.
• The employee must be informed that he or she may receive a paper Form W-2 if consent is not given to receive it electronically.
• The employee must be informed of the scope and duration of the consent.
• The employee must be informed of any procedure for obtaining a paper copy of any Form W-2 (and whether or not the request for a paper statement is treated as a withdrawal of his or her consent) after giving consent.
• The employee must be notified about how to withdraw a consent and the effective date and manner by which the employer will confirm the withdrawn consent. The employee must also be notified that the withdrawn consent does not apply to the previously issued Forms W-2.
• The employee must be informed about any conditions under which electronic Forms W-2 will no longer be furnished (for example, termination of employment).
• The employee must be informed of any procedures for updating his or her contact information that enables the employer to provide electronic Forms W-2.
• The employer must notify the employee of any changes to the employer's contact information.
You must furnish electronic Forms W-2 by the due date of the paper forms. For more information, see Regulations section 31.6051-1(j).
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p15a/ar01.html for more info on electronic filing

I am thinking when she applied for the job, there was probably something about e-filing on her application that she signed. I don't know anything about having to pay for it. I know as a business owner, I have to have W-2's prepared and given to employees before Jan. 31, 2007

[Ninga]

31. Sounds like they need to be the "WORST PERSONS IN THE DAY!!!!!!"

[Jack Rabbit]

36. What is that? About two hours' pay for a Walmart emplyee.

That should be illegal.

[GenDem]

37. $7.00 = probably an hour and 15 minutes worth of wal-mart pay

Another way for the bastards to steal from their employees.

:mad:

[murray hill farm]

39. Pay the $7...

get the W2, and then inform the IRS...write a letter to the editor, write to your congressman, send it to KO...geeze, send it to everyone you can think of to send it to, but in order to save yourself undo hassle and who knows what in the way of unpleasant got ya's. pay the $7 and get the W2 first.

[RedEarth]

40. You've got to be kidding........ you've got to pay to get your W-2... give me a freaking break......

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

41. Are You Sure She Selected The Right Option?

If she clicked on one of the different W2 options there may be a charge. Make sure she's clicking on the "get my 2006 W2 now" option or somethin like that.

If she is, and it still says "Charge: 7.00" or whatever, then the chances are there was some document she signed at some point in time laying out the fees and requiring authorization.

We may not like Walmart, but they are not that stupid. They'd know it's illegal to not offer a free option, so I'm convinced something else has to be goin on here.

[cynatnite]

42. We had to call them...

and they walked us through some screwed up way to get her W2 form. It made no sense to me at all. We wondered if others wound up paying for theirs.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

46. Most likely the correct answer

Employer can charge for replacement W2s - not for original issue.

[Katherine Brengle]

43. I believe that is illegal - her W2 should be issued to her by her employer free of charge. nt

[LiberalEsto]

44. Go to the Post Office

or the public library.
They have free forms.

[earth mom]

45. Use her last paystub + Anyone who makes less than 52K a year can do their taxes for FREE online.

IRS Free File:
http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html

List of online providers that charge a fee:
http://www.irs.gov/efile/lists/0,,id=101223,00.html

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

47. Using last paystub can be tricky

You can screw yourself if you are not sure which deductions are pre-tax. If you are certain about how to arrive at taxable income from gross income, you could use a paystub. Watch out for Group Term Life imputed income and other items which may not appear on your paystub.

Professional Payroll Preparer

[LostinVA]

48. Totally illegal

[Liberal In Texas]

50. ...Gee, what if you don't own (as in can't afford) a computer?

:shrug:

[and-justice-for-all]

51. Call the ACLU...

and the B.B.B; thats a crock of shit if I have ever heard of one.

[skygazer]

54. Are you sure she HAD to?

My employer included a form with our paychecks early in the month telling us we COULD get our W-2 online. Several employees read it to mean we had to but it was very clear on the paperwork that it was only an option, not a requirement. It was through the same company.

I think it likely if you read the paperwork carefully, it will show it's not a requirement. I don't believe a company can require such a thing - not everyone has internet access.

[slackmaster]

56. Another vote for "That can't be legal" for them to require her to pay for it

Did she have another option, like going to the HR Department and picking it up in person?

Are all Wal-Mart employees required to own home computers?

:rofl:

[Union Label]

58. Here I found these on the IRS site

It looks like if walmart didn't get a signed consent form for the electronic W-2 they may be in violation of the law.http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq-kw204.html

1.15 IRS Procedures: W–2 - Additional, Incorrect, Lost, Non-receipt, Omitted

May an employer provide me my Form W-2 electronically?

Yes, an employer may furnish your Form W-2 (PDF) electronically provided certain criteria are met. You must affirmatively consent to receive the Form W-2 (PDF) in an electronic format and prior to, or at the time of, your consent, your employer must provide you a disclosure statement containing specific disclosures. Additionally, the electronic version of the Form W-2 (PDF) must contain all required information and comply with applicable revenue procedures relating to substitute statements to recipients. If the statement is furnished on a Web site, then your employer must notify you, via mail, electronic mail, or in person, that the statement is posted on a Web site and provide instructions on accessing and printing the statement.


References:

Treas. Reg. 31.6051-1(j)

And it looks like they may be able to stretch it feb. 15.

I didn't get my W-2 by January 31, so I asked my employer for it, but I still don't have it. What should I do?

If you don't receive your Form W-2 (PDF) by February 15, contact the IRS for assistance at [phone]. Also, you may want to refer to Tax Topic 154, Form W-2 - What To Do if Not Received, to see the specific information the IRS will need in order to prepare a Form 4598, Form W-2, 1098 or 1099 Nor Received, Incorrect, or Lost. You will be sent a copy of Form 4598 along with a Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099R, Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contract, etc.


References:

Form 4852 (PDF), Substitute For Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099R, Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.
Tax Topic 154, Form W-2 - What To Do if Not Received

[Union Label]

60. Oh and I forgot

It wouldn't surprise me if walmart owned this W2Express company you know anything to make a buck while screwing their employees.

[Rosemary2205]

61. That is illegal.

A lawyer and the IRS should be contacted immediately. Those who already paid the $7 should get immediate compensation and Walmart and/or W2express should be fined.

[Mrspeeker]

63. well stop shopping and working there!

If you want to stop a plant from growing quit watering it and giving it sun light!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never shopped at walmart and I will never work there!

[Tim4319]

64. I work at Target, and it is the same thing.

But, we were able to get a copy from the HR Department.

[LTR]

65. Contact the IRS

If companies don't send out W2's, the last resort is contacting the proper authorities.

Nobody should ever have to pay for W2's. I believe that is highly illegal.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

67. I'm going to lock this at the request

of the original poster. The problem was solved. Please see post number 22.

best,
wakemeupwhenitsover
DU Moderator