Where to request your W2

Your employer is responsible for sending you a W2 by January 31 each year. If you have not received it by early February, contact your employer's payroll or human resources department directly — by phone, email, or in person. Give them your full name, Social Security number, and the year the W2 covers. Most employers will resend it within a few business days.

If your employer has closed, gone out of business, or you cannot locate them, you can request a transcript from the IRS that shows the wage information reported under your Social Security number. This transcript serves the same purpose as a W2 for tax filing and verification.

If you worked for multiple employers in the same year, you will receive a separate W2 from each one. You need all of them to file your tax return accurately.

Key Takeaways

  • Your employer must send your W2 by January 31, so check your mail and email by mid-February before taking other steps.
  • Contact your employer's payroll department first if the W2 does not arrive — they can resend it quickly.
  • If your employer is unreachable or no longer exists, you can request a wage and income transcript directly from the IRS.
  • You can view your wage information online through your IRS account or by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Getting a transcript from the IRS

The IRS keeps a record of all wages reported to them by your employers. You can request a transcript showing this information without waiting for your employer to send the original W2.

The fastest way is to create or log into your account at irs.gov. Go to the "Transcripts" section and select "Wage and Income Transcript." You can view it when ready online or request it be mailed to you. This transcript shows the same wage, tax withholding, and employer information that appears on your W2.

If you do not have an online IRS account, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a transcript by phone. You will need to verify your identity with your Social Security number and other personal information. The IRS will mail the transcript to the address on file, which typically takes 5 to 10 business days.

You can also request a transcript by mail using Form 4506-C, which you send to the IRS address for your region. This method is slower but works if you prefer not to call or use the online portal.

What to do if your employer will not send the W2

Employers are legally required to send W2s by January 31. If your employer refuses or ignores your requests after you have contacted them multiple times, you can file a complaint with the IRS.

Use Form 13909 (Information Referral) to report the missing W2 to the IRS Criminal Investigation division. You can file this form online at irs.gov or mail it to the IRS. The IRS will investigate whether your employer reported your wages correctly.

In the meantime, you can still file your tax return using the wage transcript from the IRS. You do not need to wait for the physical W2 to file on time. If you file before receiving the W2 and the information differs, you can file an amended return (Form 1040-X) once you have the correct W2.

Checking if your employer reported your wages

Before requesting a transcript, you can check whether your employer actually reported your wages to the IRS. Log into your IRS account at irs.gov and look at your wage and income information. This shows what the IRS has on record for you.

If wages are missing or incorrect, contact your employer first to ask them to file a corrected W2 (Form W2-C). If your employer will not correct it, you can file Form 4852 (Substitute for Form W2) with your tax return, which lets you report the wages yourself based on your pay stubs and records.

Getting W2s from previous years

If you need a W2 from a year before the current tax year, your employer may still have copies on file. Contact them and specify the year you need.

If the employer no longer has it or is unreachable, request a wage and income transcript from the IRS for that year. When you request a transcript, you can specify which year or years you need. The IRS keeps records going back several years.

Using your pay stubs if you cannot get a W2

If you absolutely cannot obtain a W2 or transcript and your tax important date is approaching, you can file your return using your pay stubs as documentation. Gather all pay stubs from the year and add up the gross wages, federal tax withheld, and any other deductions.

File Form 4852 with your tax return to explain that you are using pay stubs instead of a W2. Keep copies of your pay stubs with your tax records. The IRS may contact you later to verify the information, so be prepared to show the stubs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my taxes without a W2?

Yes. You can file using a wage and income transcript from the IRS, which shows the same information your employer reported. You can also file using pay stubs and Form 4852 if you cannot get a transcript in time. The IRS record is what matters for your return, not the physical W2 form.

How long does it take to get a W2 from the IRS?

If you view it online through your IRS account, you see it when ready. If you request it by mail, expect 5 to 10 business days. If you call the IRS, they mail it to you, which also takes about a week. Online is fastest if you need it quickly.

What if the W2 I received has the wrong information?

Contact your employer and ask them to issue a corrected W2 (Form W2-C). They must send it to you and report the correction to the IRS. If your employer will not correct it, you can file an amended return once you have the correct information, or file Form 4852 with your original return explaining the error.

Do I need the original W2 form or can I use a copy?

You can file your taxes using information from a copy, a transcript, or pay stubs. The IRS does not require you to submit the original W2 with your return. Keep the W2 or transcript with your records in case the IRS asks for proof later.

What if I lost my W2 after my employer sent it?

Request a duplicate from your employer — they keep copies. If they cannot resend it, get a wage and income transcript from the IRS instead. Both show the same wage and tax information you need to file.