When Does My W-2 Get Mailed Out?
Discover the standard W-2 mailing schedule and practical advice on what to do if your tax statement is delayed.
A W-2 form is an important document for individual income tax filing. It reports an employee’s annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld by their employer. This form provides information for both federal and state tax returns.
Employer Mailing Deadline
Employers are required to send out Form W-2 to their employees by January 31st following the tax year. This deadline applies to both mailing paper copies and making electronic copies available to employees. Employers must also file Copy A of Form W-2 with the Social Security Administration by the same January 31st deadline.
What to Do If You Don’t Receive Your W-2
If you do not receive your W-2 by the January 31st deadline, wait a week or two to account for potential mail delays. After this waiting period, your initial action should be to contact your employer directly. You should speak with their payroll or human resources department to confirm your current mailing address and inquire when and how your W-2 was sent. If your address on file is incorrect, ensure it is updated and request a reissued W-2.
If your employer is unresponsive or unable to provide the W-2 by the end of February, contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-829-1040. Be prepared to provide the following information:
- Your name
- Address
- Social Security number
- Phone number
- Dates you worked for the employer
- Employer’s name
- Employer’s address
- Employer’s phone number
- Employer Identification Number (EIN), if known
- Estimate of your wages and federal income tax withheld, often found on your last pay stub
The IRS will then contact your employer to request the missing W-2 on your behalf. The IRS may also send you a Form 4852, titled “Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement,” which you can use to file your tax return if you do not receive your actual W-2 in time. Form 4852 allows you to estimate your wages and tax withholdings using information from your pay stubs. If you file using Form 4852 and later receive your actual W-2 with different information, you may need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X.