Do You Still Get a W2 If You Quit Your Job?

A W-2 form, officially known as the Wage and Tax Statement, is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax form that employers issue to report annual wages paid to employees and the taxes withheld from those wages. This document is central to preparing your individual income tax return, as it summarizes your taxable earnings and the amounts paid toward federal, state, and local income taxes, as well as Social Security and Medicare taxes. The information on the W-2 ensures accurate reporting of your income and tax obligations to the IRS. Even if you quit your job during the calendar year, your former employer is still obligated to provide you with a W-2.

Understanding Your W-2 After Quitting

An employer’s obligation to provide a W-2 stems from the wages paid and taxes withheld, not from an employee’s current employment status. The W-2 will reflect all income earned up to your termination date, including wages, tips, and other compensation, as well as federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax that were withheld.

The W-2 also includes your employer’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and their name and address, along with your Social Security number, name, and address. Employers are required to file a copy of your W-2 with the Social Security Administration (SSA), which then shares the federal tax information with the IRS.

Receiving Your W-2: Timeline and Methods

Employers are required by the IRS to send out W-2 forms by January 31 of the calendar year following the one in which wages were paid. For instance, a W-2 for wages earned in 2024 must be sent to you by January 31, 2025. This deadline applies even if your employment ended before December 31 of the tax year.

W-2 forms are commonly delivered via postal mail to the last known address the employer has on file for you. Many employers also offer electronic delivery, typically through an online portal, if you previously consented to receive your tax documents this way. To ensure your W-2 reaches you without delay, it is advisable to confirm your mailing address with your former employer’s human resources or payroll department, especially if you have moved since leaving the job.

What to Do If You Don’t Receive Your W-2

If you have not received your W-2 by January 31, your first step should be to contact your former employer’s payroll or human resources department. You should confirm the mailing address they have on file and request a re-issuance of the form. It is reasonable to allow a week or two for the form to arrive after your request.

If you still have not received your W-2 by the end of February after contacting your employer, you can reach out to the IRS directly for assistance. You can call the IRS at 800-829-1040, providing your name, address, Social Security number, dates of employment, and your employer’s name, address, and phone number. The IRS can then contact your former employer on your behalf and may provide you with Form 4852, “Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement.” This form allows you to estimate your wages and withheld taxes using information from your pay stubs, enabling you to file your tax return even without the official W-2.