No W2s, Now What??

I wasn't self-employed, but I was unable to obtain a W2. Prime accepted (actually required) transcripts from the IRS for a three-year period. I faxed them in without issue.

Sounds like you need to call and get a second opinion.

Hey there! I'm so happy because I might be able to help with this one!! If you registered your business (even if it was just your name) with the Secretary of State, get a copy of the form you filled out. That should be your business license. Combine that with your EIN (which should also have your business name on it) and that should be the "proof" they need for self-employment in addition to the tax info you sent over. That's what the recruiter at System Transport told me. Schedule C, SE, business license/registration (or if you carried general liability for your independent contractor work). Were you a sole-proprietor or an LLC? Either way...there should be some other form of proof that you were those things. Hell, even a signed contract with one of the companies you contracted for might work!

Here is the reply: "THIS IS THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN ACCEPT. IRS Transcript Wage & Income for the years you were self-employed (this is required) NOT TAX RETURN TRANSCRIPT these don’t have the company name on them."

Ah, her email made it sound like you'd given her:

Tax Return Transcript - shows most line items from your tax return (Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) as it was originally filed, including any accompanying forms and schedules. This transcript doesn’t show account changes made after the return is processed. A return transcript usually meets the requirements of lending institutions offering mortgages and student loans.

Which is another type of transcript. But, if you got the right one, new recruiter time. Call their main recruitment office and ask if a Wage and Income Transcript is acceptable in lieu of W-2s for someone who was self employed and doesn't receive W-2s. If you can call from the number you didn't put on your application, so much the better. (When you call, their system can match your number to your recruiter's name.) Then you can maybe get a straight answer from someone who is hopefully more knowledgeable.

Most of all, be exceptionally nice even though you're frustrated. She's got some power to deny you. If you can get past this woman, you'll be well on your way and she won't be your first hurdle. Good luck!

Sorry my bad. 1098s is a mortgage interest statement. You wouldn't have one because you own your home. Why would you need that?

The transcript includes anything that was filed to the IRS including 1098 if you filed 1098. If you didn't file 1098 then it won't show up on the transcript. It's just a print out of all the tax info for various forms you've submitted to the IRS, not a specific transcript just for 1098.

As a general thing for anyone following this thread (definitely not directed at anyone), recruiters are just like customer service people. Customer service people do not get trained for very long before being given a headset and a script and let loose and the turnover is high and the amount of people who hate their job is high. They deal with idiots, quotas, threats of losing their jobs, and a million bosses all day long and it's very stressful. So, when dealing with any person over the phone, just put a smile in your voice and be nice as peaches and cream. It'll get you a lot further, even when you're frustrated. And, in emails, try to make sure you don't sound sarcastic, short, or snarky, even if they do. They'll just be more resistant to helping you. And, if they can't help you, they have a supervisor who can if the request isn't unrealistic. Good luck everyone.

Thank you for helping to answer this question. Just got off the phone with the superviser and the recruitor. They have enough applicants that they are not interested in me. Bottom line is I cannot verify three years employment. So, I guess (in reference to the "two feet" in another post) mine is the shortest trip in professional driver history - zero feet. Apparently, trucking is NOT in my future. Best of luck to all of you and DRIVE SAFELY.

One company turns you down and you give up? If you want to be a driver, there are a ton of companies. Some will be less stringent than others on application stuff. Just cast the line and see who will work with you.

OK, took a step back and a deep breath. Called another company. I meet all requirements. I told them straight - lack of employment verification. The recruiter said, just put down unemployed. There's a form you fill out, it gets filed, and your done. As I'm writing this they are doing the background and license check. He told me to expect a job offer in writing by the end of the day. Maybe will make it past zero miles afterall.

Grinding into first.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I'm Mike's wife and I was so bummed out yesterday I couldn't do the high road tests. Couldn't even read a paragraph without drifting off into who, what, why, where? Our plan is to (hopefully) drive together. But he's first. I stay working here, get him on the road and make sure he can take it. Then I quit this godawful job that's sucking the life out of me then go for the tests. I knew even if there wasn't an answer on the forums there would be people. And people is what makes this great nation!!! Hard working people!!!! Ya!

OK, took a step back and a deep breath. Called another company. I meet all requirements. I told them straight - lack of employment verification. The recruiter said, just put down unemployed. There's a form you fill out, it gets filed, and your done. As I'm writing this they are doing the background and license check. He told me to expect a job offer in writing by the end of the day. Maybe will make it past zero miles afterall.

Grinding into first.

Good job! Don't let anyone tell you that you don't deserve a job. And, after a year with a willing to hire company, who knows where the road will take you both!

Good luck to you too, Nancy!