Where to request your W2 from a current or former employer

Your employer is required to send you a copy of your W2 by January 31 each year. If you did not receive one, or if you need a copy from years past, contact your employer's payroll or human resources department directly. Have your Social Security number and the tax year ready when you call or email.

If your employer is still in business, this is almost always the fastest route. Many companies keep W2 records for at least seven years and can print or email a duplicate within days. If you worked there recently, payroll may have your current contact information on file and can send it without you asking for anything else.

If your employer has closed, moved, or you cannot locate them, you have other options — but start here first, because a current employer can resolve this in one conversation.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your employer's payroll or HR department first — they are required to keep W2 records and can usually send a duplicate within days.
  • If your employer is out of business or unreachable, the IRS can issue a wage and income transcript that shows the same information as your W2.
  • You can request a transcript online through IRS.gov, by phone at 800-908-9946, or by mail using Form 4506-C.
  • A transcript takes one to two weeks by mail or phone, or up to 24 hours online if you verify your identity through ID.me.
  • Some employers file W2 information with the IRS even if they do not send you a copy, so the IRS may have a record even if your employer says they do not.

Getting a wage and income transcript from the IRS

If your employer cannot or will not send your W2, you can request a wage and income transcript directly from the IRS. This document shows the same income and tax information your employer reported to the IRS under your Social Security number. It is not the original W2 form, but it serves the same purpose for tax filing and proof of income.

The IRS keeps records of wages reported by employers for the current year and the past three years. If you need a W2 from further back, the IRS may still have it, but you will need to contact them to find out.

You have three ways to request a transcript: online, by phone, or by mail. Online is fastest if you can verify your identity through ID.me, a third-party identity verification service.

Requesting a transcript online through IRS.gov

Go to IRS.gov and look for "Get Your Tax Record" or "Transcript" in the search bar. You will land on the IRS transcript request page. Select "Wage and Income Transcript" and choose the tax year you need.

The IRS will ask you to verify your identity through ID.me. You will need a valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), a Social Security number, and either a phone number or email address on file with the IRS. The verification process takes a few minutes and happens in real time.

Once verified, you can view and read your transcript when ready. You can also have the IRS mail a printed copy to your address on file, which takes five to ten business days.

Requesting a transcript by phone or mail

Call the IRS at 800-908-9946 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status ready. The IRS representative will verify your identity by asking questions about your tax history, then mail the transcript to you. This method takes one to two weeks.

If you prefer to request by mail, complete Form 4506-C (Request for Transcript of Tax Return). You can read it from IRS.gov or request it by phone. Mail the completed form to the IRS address listed on the form. Processing takes two to four weeks, depending on mail delivery time.

The phone and mail methods do not require ID.me verification, so they work if you cannot verify your identity online or do not have the documents ID.me requires.

What information appears on a wage and income transcript

A wage and income transcript shows your name, Social Security number, the tax year, and the total wages, tips, and other compensation your employer reported to the IRS. It also shows federal income tax withheld and any other income reported under your name, such as interest, dividends, or self-employment income.

This is the same information that appears in boxes 1, 2, and 5 of your W2 form. If you need other details from your W2 — such as state tax withheld, local tax information, or employer identification — you will need the actual W2 form from your employer, not a transcript.

What to do if the IRS has no record of your wages

If you request a transcript and the IRS says they have no record of wages for that year, it means your employer did not file a W2 with the IRS under your Social Security number. This can happen if your employer made a mistake, if you were paid under a different name or number, or if your employer did not file at all.

Go back to your employer and ask them to check their records. Provide your exact name as it appeared on your paychecks, your Social Security number, and the dates you worked. Ask them to verify that they filed a W2 with the IRS and to provide a copy. If they say they did not file, ask them to file now — employers can file late W2s, though they may face penalties.

If your employer refuses or is unreachable, you can file your tax return without the W2 and attach a statement explaining that you requested it but could not obtain it. The IRS may contact your employer separately to verify the wages.

Requesting transcripts for multiple years at once

If you need W2 information from several years, you can request transcripts for all of them in one request. Online, you can select multiple tax years before downloading. By phone or mail, tell the IRS representative or write on Form 4506-C that you need transcripts for years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 (for example). The IRS will send them all together.

Requesting multiple years at once saves time and avoids having to contact the IRS repeatedly. The processing time is the same whether you request one year or five.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a W2 from more than three years ago?

The IRS keeps wage records indefinitely, but transcripts are easiest to obtain for the current year and the past three years. For older W2s, contact your employer directly — they may still have records. If your employer is out of business, you can still request a transcript from the IRS by phone or mail, and they will search their archives.

Do I need the original W2 form or will a transcript work?

For most purposes — filing your tax return, proving income to a lender, or explore for benefits — a wage and income transcript works just as well as the original W2. Some employers or government agencies specifically ask for the "original" W2, in which case you need the form your employer issued, not a transcript. Ask whoever requested it whether a transcript is acceptable.

What if my employer says they never filed a W2 for me?

Ask your employer to check their payroll records under your name and Social Security number. If they confirm they did not file, ask them to file a late W2 now. You can also file your tax return and note on it that you requested a W2 but did not receive one. The IRS may investigate your employer separately.

How much does it cost to get a transcript?

Transcripts from the IRS are free. Your employer may also provide a duplicate W2 at no cost, though some charge a small fee for copies requested years later. Ask before they process your request.

Can someone else request my W2 or transcript for me?

Your employer can release your W2 to an authorized representative if you give written permission. The IRS requires the person requesting a transcript to verify their own identity, so you cannot have someone else request it on your behalf unless you have a power of attorney on file with the IRS. Contact the IRS to set up a power of attorney if you need someone to handle your tax records regularly.