How to Get a Copy of an Old W-2 Form
Lost your old W-2? Learn reliable methods to retrieve past wage and income information from official sources for tax, loan, or record-keeping needs.
Lost your old W-2? Learn reliable methods to retrieve past wage and income information from official sources for tax, loan, or record-keeping needs.
Accessing old W-2 forms is often necessary for filing prior-year tax returns, applying for loans, or maintaining personal financial records. Several established methods exist to retrieve this wage and tax information. Understanding these processes can help individuals efficiently obtain the data they need.
The most direct and quickest way to obtain an old W-2 form is by contacting your former or current employer. Employers are required to retain W-2 records for at least four years. Reach out to their human resources or payroll department.
When contacting your employer, provide specific identifying details. This includes your full name, Social Security Number, the address used during employment, and the specific tax year(s) for which you need the W-2. Many employers offer an online portal where you can access and download past W-2s electronically, or they may send a physical copy via mail. If your employer is no longer in business or is unresponsive, alternative methods are available.
If you cannot obtain your W-2 directly from your employer, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a valuable alternative: the Wage and Income Transcript. This document provides data from various information returns the IRS receives, including Forms W-2, 1099, and 1098. The transcript contains the necessary wage and tax withholding details, which can be used to prepare or amend tax returns.
To request a Wage and Income Transcript, you will need your Social Security Number, date of birth, and the mailing address from your most recently filed tax return. The IRS offers several methods for requesting this transcript. The fastest way is often through the IRS Get Transcript Online tool, where you can view, print, or download the transcript immediately after identity verification.
Alternatively, you can request a transcript by mail using Form 4506-T, “Request for Transcript of Tax Return.” On this form, you must specifically check the box for “Form W-2, Form 1099 series, Form 1098 series, or Form 5498 series transcript” and specify the tax year(s) needed. Mail requests typically take five to ten business days to process and arrive. An automated phone service is also available by calling 800-908-9946, with transcripts usually arriving by mail within five to ten calendar days.
Another avenue for retrieving wage information, particularly for older records, is through the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA maintains detailed records of reported earnings for all individuals, which are used to determine Social Security benefits. While not an exact copy of a W-2, the SSA’s “Earnings Record” provides annual reported wages and self-employment income, serving as proof of earnings when a W-2 is unavailable.
To request an earnings record, you will generally need to provide your full name, Social Security Number, date of birth, and the specific years for which you need the information. The primary method for obtaining older records is by completing and mailing Form SSA-7050, “Request for Social Security Earnings Information.” This form allows you to select between a certified or non-certified itemized statement of earnings, or certified yearly totals.
There may be a fee associated with obtaining these records, especially if the request is for purposes unrelated to Social Security programs. Requests submitted via mail can take approximately 120 days for the SSA to process. For current earnings statements, individuals can often access them for free through their “my Social Security” online account.