How and When Do Military Members Get a W2?
For military members, understand the nuances of your W2. This guide provides clarity on obtaining your tax document and resolving any issues you encounter.
A W2 form, officially known as a Wage and Tax Statement, is a document for all wage earners, including military personnel. This form summarizes an individual’s annual earnings and the federal, state, and local taxes withheld from their paychecks throughout the tax year. It is essential for accurately preparing and filing income tax returns. For military members, understanding how to obtain this document helps ensure a smooth tax filing experience.
General W2 Availability
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) issues W2 forms to military members. By law, employers must distribute W2s to employees by January 31st each year. DFAS generally makes electronic W2s available earlier than mailed versions.
Electronic W2s for active duty, Reserve, National Guard members, retirees, and annuitants typically become accessible through the myPay system in mid to late January. Hard copies are mailed by the January 31st deadline for those who opted out of electronic delivery or for specific types of pay.
Accessing Your W2
Military personnel primarily retrieve their W2 forms electronically through the myPay system, a secure online portal managed by DFAS. To access your W2, navigate to the myPay website and log in using your established credentials, which may include your Common Access Card (CAC) or a user ID and password.
Once logged in, locate the “Tax Statement (W-2)” option, usually found on the main menu or under a “Taxes” section. Selecting this option will display available W2 forms for current and previous tax years. From this page, you can view, print, or save your W2 form to your personal device. For those who opted for physical mail or are unable to access myPay, DFAS sends W2s to the mailing address on record.
Addressing Missing or Incorrect W2s
If your W2 form is not received by the expected date or if you identify errors, prompt action is necessary to ensure accurate tax filing. First, verify your personal information and mailing address on file within the myPay system to ensure they are current.
Should the W2 remain missing or contain inaccuracies, contact DFAS directly for assistance. Military members can call the Military Pay customer care center at 1-888-332-7411. The AskDFAS application, accessible via the myPay and DFAS homepages, also provides an avenue to submit secure messages for duplicate W2 requests or to report errors. If a W2 needs correction, DFAS will issue a corrected W2, known as a W-2C. Resolving any W2 discrepancies before filing your tax return is important to avoid potential issues with the IRS.