How to Get Old W-2s If You Didn’t File Taxes

A W-2 Form, formally known as the Wage and Tax Statement, is a document employers must provide to employees by January 31 each year. This form reports the employee’s annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld from their paycheck for federal, state, and local income taxes, as well as Social Security and Medicare taxes. The information on a W-2 is used to accurately prepare and file income tax returns. Obtaining these forms for past years is necessary for anyone who has not yet filed their taxes, as they contain the required income and withholding details.

Requesting From Your Employer

The most direct way to obtain an old W-2 form is by contacting your former employer. Before reaching out, it is helpful to gather specific information to streamline your request, such as your full legal name, Social Security Number, the approximate years you were employed, and any addresses you used during that employment period.

You should locate the current contact information for the employer, especially if it is a former workplace. Many companies have a dedicated payroll or human resources department that handles W-2 requests, or they might have an online portal for former employees. When you contact them, clearly state the specific tax year or years for which you need the W-2 form. Employers are generally required by federal law to furnish a W-2 to employees, and they can provide copies of past forms upon request.

Once your request is made, the employer will process it and either mail the W-2 to your last known address or provide access through a secure online system. Response times can vary, ranging from a few days to several weeks. If an employer is no longer in business or is unresponsive, other avenues are available for obtaining your wage information.

Getting Wage Information from the Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains records of reported wages. While the SSA does not provide copies of the actual W-2 form, they can furnish a summary of your earnings information. This summary details the wages reported by your employers for various tax years, which can be used to reconstruct your income information for tax filing purposes.

To request your earnings information from the SSA, you will need to complete Form SSA-7050-F4, titled “Request for Social Security Earnings Information.” This form is available for download on the SSA’s official website or can be requested by mail. When filling out the form, you must provide your full legal name, Social Security Number, date of birth, and any previous names you may have used. You also need to specify the exact tax years for which you are requesting earnings information.

After completing Form SSA-7050-F4, it must be submitted by mail along with a copy of a valid government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID. There is a fee associated with this service, which can range from a small administrative charge to a higher amount depending on the number of years requested. Processing times for these requests can vary but generally take several weeks to a few months to receive the earnings statement.

Accessing Wage and Income Transcripts from the IRS

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) receives W-2 data, which allows them to provide wage and income transcripts. The IRS provides a transcript of your tax information, not an exact copy of your W-2 form. The “Wage and Income Transcript” is the specific document that consolidates information reported by employers, banks, and other payers, including wages, withholding, and other income.

There are several methods to obtain a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS. The fastest way is through the IRS’s “Get Transcript Online” tool, which requires identity verification. This verification process involves providing financial account information, such as a loan or credit card number, and having a mobile phone to receive a verification code. Once verified, you can immediately view, print, or download your transcript for the specific tax years needed.

Alternatively, you can request transcripts to be mailed to you by using the “Get Transcript by Mail” tool online or by submitting Form 4506-T, “Request for Transcript of Tax Return.” When completing Form 4506-T, you must specify “Wage and Income Transcript” on line 6 and indicate the tax years required on line 9. The form should then be mailed to the IRS address provided in the instructions. Transcripts requested by mail are delivered within five to ten calendar days.

For those who prefer in-person assistance, you can visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Appointments are generally required to visit a TAC, and you will need to bring valid government-issued identification. While at a TAC, an IRS representative can help you request the Wage and Income Transcript. The IRS transcript is a reliable option for obtaining wage information, particularly for older tax years or when an employer is no longer available to provide a copy of the W-2.