How to Get Your W2 Forms
- 1). Contact your payroll or human resources department for a copy. Even if you do not work for the employer in question anymore, chances are the company still has your W-2s on file. If the W-2 is for the tax year that just passed and you do not receive it by mid-February, ask your payroll or human resources department when -- and to where -- the form was mailed. If it was sent to the wrong address, the department should reissue the form to you with the right address. If the address is correct and you simply haven't received it, ask your employer for another copy.
- 2). Call the IRS and the appropriate state agency if your employer refuses to give you your W-2. The agency can call your employer and request that it give you the form. The IRS penalizes employers who fail to give employers a W-2 form. For example, it charges an employer that fails to furnish employees with a correct W-2 a minimum penalty of $250 per W-2, with no maximum.
- 3). Ask your tax preparer for a copy of your W-2 if you hired one to prepare your taxes.
- 4). Call the IRS and request transcripts of your W-2s. The IRS receives W-2s from the Social Security Administration around the end of May each year. If you need your W-2 for the tax year that just passed, the IRS will not be able to give you the information in time for you to file your taxes by mid-April. In this case, use Form 4852 as a substitute for your W-2 and file your tax return by the due date.
- 5). Fill out Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, to request up to four years' W-2 data. Complete a new 4506-T for additional years. It can take the IRS up to 60 days to send you the information by mail. You can call the IRS for this information as well; the turnaround time is generally less if you make the request by phone.
- 6). Fill out Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, to request up to eight years' W-2 data. Use a new form to request more years. This method gives you copies of your entire tax return and corresponding W-2 attachments. A fee applies -- $57 as of 2011.
