Where Can I Get a Copy of My W-2 Form?

A W-2 form, also known as the Wage and Tax Statement, is a tax document that summarizes an employee’s annual wages and the taxes withheld from their paychecks. This form is used for preparing and filing federal, state, and local income tax returns. Individuals may need a copy of their W-2 if it was lost, never received, or for verifying income for loans or other financial applications.

Requesting From Your Employer

Your current or former employer is the most direct source for a W-2 form. You should contact their Human Resources or Payroll department. When making the request, provide your full name, Social Security Number, the specific tax year for which you need the W-2, and your current contact information.

Many employers offer online employee portals where you can access and print your W-2 forms electronically. If an online portal is not available, employers send copies by mail. While this is a quick way to get a recent W-2, some employers might charge a small fee for reissuing copies. Allow for a turnaround time of a few business days to a couple of weeks, depending on the employer’s process.

Ordering From the Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration (SSA) can provide copies of W-2 forms from prior years. The SSA maintains records of W-2s from 1978 to the present. To request a copy, you will need to provide:

Your Social Security Number
The exact name shown on your Social Security card
Any different names used on your W-2
Your complete mailing address
The specific year(s) for which you need copies
A daytime phone number

Requests to the SSA are made by mail, either by written letter or Form SS-5, sent to their Office of Central Operations. There is a fee for this service if the W-2 is needed for tax returns or other non-SSA related purposes. The fee is $62 per request, and payment can be made by check, money order, or credit card using Form-714. You can expect to receive your W-2s within three to four weeks after the SSA processes your request.

Accessing Through the Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a “Wage and Income Transcript,” which summarizes income information reported to the IRS, including W-2 data. This transcript is not an actual copy of the W-2 form but contains the necessary details for tax filing. To access it online via the IRS Get Transcript tool, you will need to verify your identity by providing:

Your Social Security Number
Date of birth
Filing status
Mailing address
An account number from a financial account like a credit card or loan

You can request a Wage and Income Transcript online, by phone at 800-908-9946, or by mail using Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return. Online requests allow immediate viewing and printing, while mailed requests take 5 to 10 calendar days for delivery to the address on file with the IRS. This service is free of charge. The IRS can provide Wage and Income Transcripts for the current tax year and up to 10 prior tax years.

Retrieving From Tax Software or Preparer

Individuals who previously used tax preparation software or a professional tax preparer can also retrieve W-2 information. Many tax software programs store past tax year data, including W-2 details. You can log into your account with the software provider to access this information.

Similarly, professional tax preparers are required to retain copies of documents used for previous filings, including W-2s. Contacting your former tax preparer can be a quick and convenient way to obtain a copy of your W-2. They may be able to provide electronic or paper copies from their records.