DEAR SUN SPOTS: What can an employee in Maine do to receive their W-2? It seems my employer is not in any hurry to give us one, nor does he seem to intend to. What recourse do we have? — No name, no town

ANSWER: Well, that’s not good. I trust you have communicated to your employer that you are waiting for that form so you can do your taxes. Does your place of work have a human resources department or at least someone who handles payroll? If so, reach out to them.

Federal law requires all employers to send employees W-2 statements no matter how low earnings or wages are. These W-2 statements can be sent in either paper or digital form and must be issued to employees no later than Jan. 31 each year. Employers must also file a copy of employee W-2s with the IRS.

Failure to send W-2 forms in a timely manner can result in significant fines for a business and those fines are hefty.

If you find yourself deep into February without your W-2, it’s time to get the IRS involved. If your efforts to get a copy from your employer have proved fruitless, call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040.

For that call you’ll need your name, address, phone number and Social Security number; your employer’s name, address and phone number; the dates you worked for the employer; and an estimate of your wages and federal income tax withheld last year. Your last pay stub of the tax year will have these amounts.

With this information, the IRS will contact your workplace about the missing tax document.

You can file without the W-2 as a last resort but it will slow the processing of your return as the information you provide has to be verified by the IRS with your employer.

This is also an option for those whose employer has gone out of business and you can’t track them down to request your W-2. In this case, you can submit a Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, with your return. This document asks you to estimate your wages and taxes withheld last year. Again, your final pay stub can help provide these figures.

What a pain! I hope all you will have to do is nudge your boss or the payroll department again and this will all be behind you. Let us know what happens.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am wondering if you or your readers might have a recipe for baked peas (not pea soup) – more like baked beans. My mom used to make them but she has passed on and we don’t have her recipe. They were very good and we would like to try making them. Thanks for any help you can give me. — No name, no town

ANSWER: I’m putting this request out to all the cooks in Sun Spots Land. The dish seems vaguely familiar to me but I can’t come up with a recipe. I’m hoping someone can help with this.

Would it work to soak and cook split peas then proceed with your favorite baked bean recipe with a reduced baking time as you would for baked beans?

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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