Name the issuer and reporting period
Identify the statement expected, the payer or employer, and the year it concerns. Keep any existing version or correction distinguishable from the missing item. Use a legitimate source to request information and retain a dated note of the request. Current IRS guidance about missing or incorrect wage forms can explain relevant official steps; do not use an unrelated statement simply because it is available.
Show what retrieval has actually produced
When information arrives, preserve its source and compare it with the issue being examined. A request made is not a record received, and a transcript may supply particular information without replacing every original document. Mark any remaining mismatch for appropriate review. Keep the applicable filing or notice instructions visible while retrieval continues. If help is proposed, clarify the period, evidence limits, and responsibility for preparing or submitting work. This guide does not calculate a substitute figure or certify a reconstructed return.
A retrieval note should explain the evidence task without converting an estimate into a verified source.