How to Find Old W-2s and Get Your Tax Information

W-2 forms serve as a record of an individual’s annual wages and the taxes withheld by an employer. These documents are fundamental for various financial activities, including filing income tax returns, applying for mortgages or other loans, and verifying income for benefit eligibility. Misplacing an old W-2 or needing a copy from a previous tax year is common.

Contacting Your Former Employer

Your former employer is often the most direct source for an old W-2. To streamline your request, compile identifying information. Include your full legal name used during employment, Social Security Number, specific tax year, exact dates of employment, and the company’s full legal name.

Contact the company’s human resources or payroll department with this information. Larger organizations may have dedicated portals or email addresses, while smaller businesses might prefer a phone call. State you need a duplicate W-2 for a specific tax year, providing identifying details. Employers are generally required to retain payroll records, including W-2s, for at least four years after the last tax filing for a quarter.

If you cannot reach your former employer or the business is no longer operating, other avenues exist. Government agencies maintain records that can assist you.

Requesting from the Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains employer-reported wage and earnings records for past income data. While the SSA does not provide original W-2 copies, they furnish a “Wage and Earnings Statement” (Form SSA-7050, Request for Social Security Earnings Information). This statement contains essential W-2 data: reported wages, Social Security, and Medicare taxes.

Complete Form SSA-7050 to request this statement, providing your Social Security Number, full name, date of birth, and mailing address. Specify the tax years for which you need earnings information. A fee may apply for this service, though non-certified yearly totals can sometimes be obtained free online.

You can submit Form SSA-7050 by mail or in person at a local Social Security office. Mailed requests often take several weeks to process. The SSA is a reliable method when direct employer contact is not feasible.

Accessing Records from the IRS

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is another direct source for wage and income information. The IRS provides a “Wage and Income Transcript,” summarizing information reported by employers and other payers. This transcript includes data from W-2s, Forms 1099, and other income documents, but is not a copy of the actual W-2 form.

Requesting a Wage and Income Transcript requires specific personal information for identity verification. This includes your Social Security Number, date of birth, mailing address used on the tax return for the requested year, and filing status. Request this transcript by completing IRS Form 4506-T or Form 4506-T-EZ. These forms require specifying the transcript type and tax year.

The IRS offers several ways to obtain your transcript. The “Get Transcript Online” tool provides immediate access after identity verification. You can also request a transcript by mail using Form 4506-T or 4506-T-EZ, which typically takes 5 to 10 days for delivery. Phone requests to the IRS also allow for a mailed transcript. Visiting a local Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) with identification can facilitate a request, though appointments are recommended.

Exploring Other Avenues

Beyond employers and federal agencies, other avenues can help locate old W-2 information. If you used a tax preparer or accountant, they often retain client tax document copies for several years. Contacting your past tax professional can quickly retrieve W-2 data, as they typically keep detailed records.

Reviewing personal records can uncover old W-2s or related information. Check archived tax documents and old bank statements for direct deposit entries, which can help verify employment and approximate pay periods. Some employers utilize online payroll portals where former employees may still access historical pay stubs or digital W-2 copies. These portals provide self-service access to past payroll information, even after employment has ended.