The IRS requires employers to keep returned undeliverable copies of W-2 forms sent to employees for four years unless electronic copies are available for review by the IRS.

How can I get copies of my past W-2 for free?

Request a copy of your W-2 from the IRS. Use the IRS’s “Get Transcript” tool if you only need the information contained in the W-2 and the W-2 you need is less than 10 years old. This service is free of charge. Use form 4506 if you need your W-2 form and you need other information from that year’s completed taxes.

How long does employer have to provide W-2?

Employers have until January 31 to deliver Form W-2s to employees, so bookmark this article until then in case there are any issues. Note: If an employer is mailing W-2s to employees, they must be postmarked by January 31 and may take a week or two to arrive.

Where can I get a copy of my Form W-2?

Yes, but an actual copy of your Form W-2 is only available if you submitted it with a paper tax return: Transcript: You can get a wage and income transcript, containing the Federal tax information your employer reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA), by using Get Transcript Online.

When do I get my W-2 transcript from the IRS?

Check the box for Form W-2, specify which tax year(s) you need, and mail or fax the completed form. Allow 10 business days from the IRS received date to receive the transcript.

What to do if you lost your W-2 form?

Employers are required to provide employees with a W-2 for the current tax season by January 31. If you have not received your W-2 by this date, or if you have lost or misplaced it, you can contact your employer. Call your company’s payroll provider.

When do employers have to give you your W2 forms?

He must either give it to you by January 31st of each year or it must be postmarked to the last known address of yours by January 31st. If the 31st falls on a postal holiday or a normally closed day, then they get an extra day to post all of their W2 forms.