Will I Get a W-2 If I Only Worked 1 Day?

You will generally receive a Form W-2 even if you only worked for one day, provided you received wages subject to income tax withholding, Social Security, or Medicare taxes. This document reports your annual wages and withheld taxes, and is essential for accurately filing your income tax return.

W-2 Issuance Requirements

Employers must issue a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, to each employee from whom income, Social Security, or Medicare tax was withheld, or if income tax would have been withheld had the employee not claimed exemption. This applies even if an employee earned less than $600, as long as any amount of these taxes was withheld. The duration of employment, whether one day or a full year, does not alter this obligation.

Employers must provide copies of the W-2 to employees by January 31 of the year following the tax year for which wages were paid. For example, for wages earned in 2024, the W-2 should be furnished by January 31, 2025. Employers also file copies of the W-2 with the Social Security Administration (SSA) by the same deadline.

Reporting Minimal Wages

Even a small amount of wages earned from a single day’s work must be accurately reported on your tax return. Box 1 of your W-2 shows wages, tips, and other compensation, which is used when preparing your federal income tax return. Federal income tax withheld, reported in Box 2, is also entered on your tax return.

The W-2 also details amounts withheld for Social Security and Medicare taxes, which track your lifetime earnings for future benefits. Filing your tax return with all income, regardless of the amount, ensures compliance with tax laws. Failing to report all taxable income can lead to penalties and interest charges.

Steps to Obtain Your W-2

If you do not receive your W-2 by the January 31 deadline, contact your former employer directly. Inquire if the form has been sent and confirm they have your current mailing address on file. Most employers can provide a duplicate copy if the original was lost or never received.

If you still have not received your W-2 by the end of February after contacting your employer, you can reach out to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for assistance. When contacting the IRS, be prepared to provide the following information:
Your name
Your address
Your Social Security number
Your dates of employment
Your employer’s name, address, and Employer Identification Number (EIN), if known
The IRS will then contact your employer to request the missing form.

The IRS may also send you Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, which you can use to estimate your wages and tax withholdings if you cannot obtain the actual W-2 in time to file your return. It is advised to file your tax return on time, even if you must use estimated figures on Form 4852. If you later receive the actual W-2 and the information differs, you may need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X.