Do You Still Get a W2 If You Were Fired?

A W2 form summarizes wages and taxes withheld, serving as a key document for annual tax filing and accurate tax preparation. An employer’s obligation to issue a W2 is tied to the compensation provided and the employer-employee relationship, not the circumstances of employment termination. Therefore, even if an individual was fired, the employer remains responsible for providing this tax statement.

Employer Obligation to Issue a W2

Employers are legally required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to issue a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, to any employee from whom federal income, Social Security, or Medicare taxes were withheld. This obligation also applies if the employer paid $600 or more in wages during the calendar year, even if no taxes were withheld. This requirement remains in effect even if the employment relationship ended due to termination.

The W-2 form reports the total compensation paid and all applicable taxes withheld for the calendar year in which the wages were earned. This includes wages paid up to the date of termination. Former employees, including those who were fired, should expect to receive a W-2 reflecting their earnings and withholdings for the portion of the year they were employed.

Understanding Your W2 Information

A W2 form contains several boxes detailing an employee’s earnings and tax withholdings. Box 1 reports the total taxable wages, tips, and other compensation, which includes all earnings subject to federal income tax. This figure incorporates any severance pay or accrued but unpaid vacation time that was taxable, reflecting all compensation received up to the final date of employment. Box 2 shows the total federal income tax withheld from an employee’s paychecks during the tax year.

The W2 also provides information on Social Security and Medicare contributions. Box 3 indicates wages subject to Social Security tax, while Box 4 shows the Social Security tax actually withheld. Similarly, Box 5 reports wages subject to Medicare tax, and Box 6 displays the Medicare tax withheld. For employees with state and local tax obligations, Boxes 16 through 20 provide details on state wages, state income tax withheld, local wages, local income tax withheld, and the locality name, respectively.

How and When You Receive Your W2

Employers are mandated to provide W2 forms to employees by January 31 of the year following the tax year. For instance, a W2 for wages earned in 2024 must be provided by January 31, 2025. If January 31 falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day.

W2 forms are typically delivered either by mail to the employee’s last known address or electronically through a secure online portal. Employers must obtain employee consent for electronic delivery. It is advisable to ensure your former employer has your correct and most current mailing address on file for timely delivery. If employment ended mid-year, employers may furnish the W2 any time after termination, but no later than the January 31 deadline.

Steps If You Do Not Receive Your W2

If a W2 form is not received by the January 31 deadline, the initial step involves contacting the former employer’s payroll or human resources department directly. Inquiries should be made regarding when the W2 was mailed and to confirm the address on file. If the employer confirms mailing but the form has not arrived, it might have been returned due to an incorrect or incomplete address.

If attempts to obtain the W2 from the former employer are unsuccessful by mid-February, individuals can contact the IRS for assistance. The IRS can be reached at 800-829-1040, and individuals should be prepared to provide their name, address, Social Security number, phone number, and the former employer’s name, address, and phone number, along with dates of employment. The IRS will then contact the employer to request the missing form. Even without a W2, it is important to file taxes on time, using available records such as final pay stubs to estimate wages and withholdings, and attaching Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, to the tax return.