Your employer or former employer is responsible for sending you a W2 — you do not have to request it or pay for it
Your W2 form arrives in the mail or email between January 1 and January 31 each year. It shows how much you earned and how much tax was withheld from your paychecks. If you worked for a company during 2024, that employer must send you a W2 for 2024 by January 31, 2025 — whether you still work there or left months ago.
The form comes to the address on file with your employer's payroll department. If you moved after leaving the job, the W2 may arrive at an old address. If you never received one, or if it went to the wrong place, you have several ways to track it down or get a replacement.
Key Takeaways
- Your employer must mail or email your W2 by January 31 each year, and you should check your mail and email inbox (including spam folders) before assuming it did not arrive.
- If you moved after leaving a job, contact the employer's payroll or human resources department and ask them to send the W2 to your current address.
- The IRS can tell you whether an employer reported your W2 to them, and you can order a transcript that shows your reported income without waiting for the physical form.
- If an employer refuses to send a W2 or sends one with wrong information, you can file a complaint with the IRS and still file your tax return using a transcript or your own records.
Check with your employer's payroll or HR department first
Call or email the payroll department at your former employer and ask them to resend your W2 to your current address. Have your Social Security number and the year you worked there ready. Many companies can email a copy the same day or mail a replacement within a few business days.
If the company no longer exists or you cannot find contact information, try searching online for the company name plus "payroll department" or "human resources". If the company was acquired or merged, the new owner's payroll team may have the old records. If you worked for a small business and the owner is unreachable, move to the next step.
Request a wage and income transcript from the IRS
The IRS keeps a record of every W2 that employers report to them. You can order a wage and income transcript that shows what the IRS received for you in a given year. This transcript lists your reported income, taxes withheld, and employer information — everything you need to file your return.
You can order a transcript online, by phone, or by mail. The fastest route is the IRS website at irs.gov. Go to the "Get Your Tax Record" section, select "Transcript of Tax Return" or "Wage and Income Transcript", and follow the steps. You will need to verify your identity using a PIN or by answering security questions. The transcript usually arrives by email within 24 hours or by mail within 5 to 10 business days.
If you prefer to call, contact the IRS at 1-800-908-9946. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status ready. You can also mail Form 4506-C to the IRS address for your state, though this takes longer.
What to do if the W2 shows wrong information
If you receive your W2 and the income or withholding amounts are incorrect, contact your employer's payroll department first. Ask them to issue a corrected W2, called a W2-C. The employer must send the corrected form to you and report it to the IRS.
If the employer refuses to correct it or you cannot reach them, you can still file your tax return. Use the wage and income transcript from the IRS instead of the W2, or use your own records of paychecks and tax withholding. Then file a complaint with the IRS using Form 13909 (available on irs.gov). The IRS will investigate and may penalize the employer for not reporting correctly.
File your return without the W2 if you cannot locate it
You do not have to wait for a physical W2 to file your tax return. If you have a wage and income transcript from the IRS, use that. If you do not have a transcript yet, you can file using your own records — paystubs, bank statements showing deposits, or a letter from your employer showing your total earnings and withholding.
The IRS will match your return against the W2 that the employer reported. If the numbers match, your return processes normally. If they do not match, the IRS will contact you to correct it. Filing on time with the information you have is better than waiting and missing the important date.
Timeline for receiving your W2
| Situation | When to expect it | What to do if you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| You still work for the employer | By January 31 | Ask payroll on February 1 if it was mailed; provide current address |
| You left the job but gave a forwarding address | By January 31 to your forwarding address | Check mail for 2 weeks; contact employer if it does not arrive |
| You left the job and did not update your address | Sent to address on file; may be returned to employer | Contact employer when ready with new address; ask them to resend |
| Employer is unreachable or defunct | N/A | Order wage and income transcript from IRS within 60 days of filing important date |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file my taxes without my W2?
Yes. You can file using a wage and income transcript from the IRS, paystubs, or a letter from your employer showing your earnings and withholding. Filing on time with the information you have is better than waiting for the W2 to arrive.
What if my employer says they already sent the W2 but I never got it?
Ask payroll for the mailing address they used and the date they sent it. If it went to an old address, ask them to send a replacement to your current address. You can also order a wage and income transcript from the IRS to confirm they received the W2.
How long does it take to get a replacement W2?
Most employers can email or mail a replacement within 3 to 5 business days. If you order a wage and income transcript from the IRS instead, it arrives by email within 24 hours or by mail within 5 to 10 business days.
Do I need the original W2 or can I use a copy?
A copy is fine for filing your return. The IRS does not require you to mail in the physical form. You can file electronically using information from a copy, a transcript, or your own records.
What if my employer never sent a W2 to the IRS?
Contact the IRS at 1-800-908-9946 and explain the situation. The IRS can investigate whether the employer reported your income. If they did not, you can file a complaint, and the IRS may take action against the employer. You can still file your return using paystubs or other proof of income.