How to Get a W-2 Form From a Previous Year
Learn how to access your W-2 forms from past years through various reliable methods. Secure your crucial income data for tax and financial needs.
A W-2 form, officially known as the Wage and Tax Statement, is a document employers are required to issue to employees annually. This form reports an employee’s total annual wages and the amount of federal, state, and other taxes withheld from their paychecks. It is fundamental for filing income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Beyond tax filing, the W-2 also serves as proof of income for financial purposes, such as applying for loans or establishing eligibility for benefits.
Contacting Your Previous Employer
When seeking a W-2 form from a previous year, your former employer is often the most direct source. Employers must retain employment tax records for at least four years. Contact the company’s human resources or payroll department, as these teams manage employee records and tax document issuance.
Provide identifying information to help them locate your records. This includes your full legal name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, approximate employment dates, and your last known mailing address with the company. Providing these details expedites W-2 retrieval.
Contact a former employer by phone or email. Some larger organizations offer online portals for former employees to access past pay stubs and tax documents electronically. Employers must send W-2s by January 31 of the year following the tax year. If you terminated employment and request your W-2 earlier, they have 30 days to provide it. Expect to receive the document within a few business days to a week once your request is processed.
Utilizing Tax Software and Online Accounts
Another method for retrieving a past year W-2 involves tax preparation software or online payroll accounts. If you used commercial tax software (e.g., TurboTax or H&R Block) to file previous years’ taxes, your W-2 information may be stored in your account. While these providers do not retain actual W-2 copies, the entered data is often embedded in your filed tax return’s PDF.
Log into your account on the software provider’s website to access or re-download filed returns from past tax years. This allows viewing the wage and tax details you reported. Some services, especially free editions, might charge a fee to access prior-year returns after a period.
Many employers use third-party payroll services (e.g., ADP or Paychex) to manage payroll and tax documentation. If your former employer used one of these services, you may have an online account. Logging into platforms like ADP Workforce Now or Paychex Flex often allows direct access and download of historical pay stubs and W-2 forms. If you are a first-time user or cannot log in, you may need a registration code from your former employer to set up access, as these payroll providers cannot provide W-2s or login assistance directly to former employees.
Requesting from the Internal Revenue Service
If other avenues prove unsuccessful, the IRS offers a way to obtain your wage and income information. The IRS does not provide actual W-2 copies but issues a “Wage and Income Transcript.” This transcript includes data from W-2s, Forms 1099, 1098, and 5498. This transcript does not include state or local tax withholding information.
Request a Wage and Income Transcript through several methods. The most expedient option is the IRS “Get Transcript Online” service on IRS.gov. To use this online service, verify your identity by providing your Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address from your last tax return, and financial account information or a mobile phone number associated with your name. Once verified, you can view, print, or download the transcript immediately.
Alternatively, request a transcript by mail using Form 4506-T, “Request for Transcript of Tax Return.” This form requires similar identifying details and must be mailed or faxed to the IRS. While online requests offer instant access, mailed requests take 5 to 10 calendar days for delivery after processing. You can also request a Wage and Income Transcript by calling the IRS automated phone transcript service at 1-800-908-9946; delivery by mail usually takes 5 to 10 business days. Wage and Income Transcripts are available for the past ten tax years.