Where Can I Get a W2 From Previous Years?

W2 forms from previous years are often needed for various financial and tax-related purposes. Whether filing an overdue tax return, amending a previously filed return, applying for a loan, or simply requiring accurate income documentation, having your W2s is important. These forms provide official summaries of your annual wages and the taxes withheld, serving as crucial records for your financial history.

Contacting Your Former Employer

Obtaining a W2 directly from your previous employer is often the most efficient and direct approach. Employers are legally obligated to issue W2 forms by January 31st each year for the preceding tax year, and they are generally required to retain these records for at least four years. Many employers keep these records for even longer.

To request a copy, you should contact the Human Resources (HR) or Payroll department of your former employer. You will likely need to provide specific identifying information, which typically includes:
Your full name
Social Security Number
The exact tax year(s) for which you need the W2
Your former address
Your dates of employment

Many employers can provide the W2 either by mailing a physical copy, granting access to an online employee portal, or sending it via email. If your former employer used a third-party payroll service, you might also contact that provider directly. If your employer is unresponsive or no longer in business, alternative methods become necessary.

Requesting from the Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration (SSA) can serve as another avenue for obtaining wage information, especially if your former employer is unresponsive or out of business. The SSA maintains records of the wage information reported by employers, which can be useful for tax purposes even though it is not an exact duplicate of the W2 form itself. This method is particularly relevant for verifying earnings for Social Security benefits or other programs.

You can obtain yearly totals of your earnings for free by creating an account on the SSA’s website, www.ssa.gov/myaccount. For a detailed itemized statement of earnings, which includes employer names and addresses, you typically need to submit Form SSA-7050, “Request for Social Security Earning Information.” Fees apply for detailed statements: $92 for a non-certified statement and $122 for a certified statement. Processing requests for these detailed statements can take up to 120 days.

Accessing Records Through the Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is a primary source for tax-related documents and can provide wage and income information from previous years. The most common way to get W2 information from the IRS is by requesting a “Wage and Income Transcript.” This transcript contains data reported to the IRS from W2s, 1099s, and other income forms, providing all necessary information for tax purposes without being an exact copy of the original W2 form.

You can request a Wage and Income Transcript through several methods. The quickest way is often online via the IRS Get Transcript tool on IRS.gov, which may allow immediate access to your transcript. To use this online service, you will need to verify your identity by providing information such as your Social Security Number, date of birth, mailing address, and financial account numbers. Alternatively, you can request a transcript by mail using Form 4506-T, “Request for Transcript of Tax Return,” specifying the tax year(s) needed. This mailed request typically takes 5 to 10 business days for processing and delivery. You can also request a transcript by calling the IRS automated phone service. The IRS can provide wage and income transcript information for up to 10 years.

Exploring Other Avenues

Beyond direct employer contact and federal agencies, other options exist for retrieving W2 information. If you used a tax preparer in previous years, they might have copies of your filed returns or W2s. Many tax preparers retain client records for several years.

If you used tax software (e.g., TurboTax or TaxAct) to file taxes in prior years, these programs often save digital W2 copies. Log into your software account to access and print past forms.

As a last resort, if official W2s are unobtainable, use your last pay stub or bank statements to estimate income and withheld taxes. While not a substitute for an official W2 for tax filing, these estimates can be used to complete Form 4852, “Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement,” if other options are exhausted.