How to get w2 from old job

Why Do I Need a W-2?

All employers must file a W-2 for each employee. This document reports the amount of income you earned at that job, as well as your federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare taxes withheld. In addition, your W-2 offers details on other contributions you made during the year, such as those related to your retirement fund and healthcare.

If you have switched jobs, you will need to get a W-2 from your former employer as well as your current employer before you file your tax return. This can be a little confusing at the best of times and can be even trickier if a former employer doesn’t cooperate.

What If My Previous Employer Refuses to Send My W-2?

If you do not receive a physical copy of your W-2 by mid-February, there are some steps you can take to follow up:

Contact your former employer directly. Reach out to the HR department of your former organization and confirm they have the correct contact information for you. If the organization is a small startup without a formal HR department, then try speaking to your former boss. If there has been an honest mistake, it is likely that a single phone call will clear up the matter.

If directly reaching out doesn’t help, it’s time to contact the IRS. If your former employer does not act on your request for following up on your W-2 or you are unable to reach them, then it is time to reach out to the IRS. Provide the IRS with:

• Your name, address, Social Security number and phone number.
• Employer’s name, address and phone number.
• Employment dates.
• Estimate of wages and federal income tax withheld in 2020. Use a final pay stub for these amounts

It is also possible you have misplaced your W-2 or are wondering about how to get a W-2 from previous years you may have lost. Again, contacting your employer or former employer is the best way to accomplish this task.

What If My W-2 Arrives Late?

If you have reason to believe you will not get your W-2 in time for you to meet the tax-filing deadline, request a filing extension from the IRS. If neither you nor the IRS can get your actual W-2 after mid-February, the IRS will tell you to complete a Form 4852, Substitute Form W-2 and 1099-R. You will need your last pay stub to create the substitute W-2.

Now that you know how important this document is, you need to make sure you get it on time. That means the first week of February.

1. Check with Payroll

Like asking for your pay stubs, you can get your W-2 by calling or sending an e-mail to your payroll administrator. Check if they have your mailing address right. If they tell you that they have already mailed it, don't forget to ask when they did it so you can ask for a replacement if needed.

2. Call the IRS

Do this if your previous employer isn't answering your calls and emails. To make it easier for the IRS, give them your previous company's Employer Identification Number. You can find this in your last pay stub or last year's W-2 if you received one from the company. The IRS will then send a reminder notice to your previous employer. File Your Taxes No Matter What

If you still haven't received your W-2 even after following the steps we've listed, you should still file your taxes. You can use form 4852 as a substitute for your W-2 or you can request an extension. There are instructions on the IRS website for filing form 4852. You should also attach all the W-2 you receive in case you get multiple copies. If you receive your W-2 after filing form 4852, double-check that the amounts on both forms match. Otherwise, you have to file form 1040x so you can correct the information on your tax return.

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Looking for a straightforward platform to do the job for you? Our W-2 generator creates your form in 2 minutes! You can also create paystubs with the online paystub maker.

As technology is becoming increasingly advanced, businesses are rushing to digitize processes. This includes areas such as HR, payroll and tax reporting. While employers have transitioned to electronically issuing W-2 forms to employees, they may still mail paper copies out.

Related: These Are the Receipts To Keep for Doing Your Taxes

But more paperwork can lead to disorganization or worse — lost documents. Whether your W-2 was lost in the mail or just misplaced at home, it can be disturbing trying to figure out how to complete your taxes without it. While getting a duplicate of a W-2 does take a little legwork, it’s certainly doable.

What To Do If You’ve Lost Your W-2

Losing a W-2 form is not the end of the world. The first thing you should do is take a deep breath and then reach out to the current or former employer who issued the form. Most employers provide W-2 forms to their workers by Jan. 31. If you know W-2 forms have already been sent out, your employer might be able to provide you with a duplicate copy. You can also contact the IRS directly for assistance on getting a replacement.

Some employers use payroll software or third-party payroll companies that allow employees to access payroll information from a secure web portal. Tax documents, including W-2s, are often saved on such sites throughout your tenure, and you may be able to access your W-2 online as a result. Be aware that most employers would direct you to this resource should it be available.

More on Tax Forms: W-2 vs. W-4 — How To Manage Your Taxable Income

How To Obtain a W-2 for a Previous Year

If you are looking for a W-2 issued by your current employer for a prior year, your employer may be able to provide you with a duplicate copy or access to download it electronically. If, however, you are looking for a W-2 from a previous year for an employer you are not presently employed with, obtaining a duplicate can get a bit tricky.

Contact Your Previous Employer

First, start by reaching out to your old employer, who should have a record of your employment history and may still be able to issue you a duplicate form. This is the quickest way to receive a copy of your W-2.

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Contact the IRS

If your employer is unable to help you, your second option is to request a transcript copy from the IRS. This option assumes you filed your taxes for the previous tax year.

The IRS won’t be able to issue an exact copy of your W-2, but it can provide a wage and income transcript. This transcript will contain the federal tax information your employer reported to the Social Security Administration for the corresponding year. Transcripts are available for up to 10 years prior. Allow 10 business days from the day the IRS receives your request to get a copy of the transcript.

Check Your Tax Software

Additionally, if you use self-prepared tax software, such as Intuit’s TurboTax, you may be able to access a previous year’s W-2 if you uploaded and saved it to your account. You would have had to manually upload the document when filing the previous tax year. Tax documents do not automatically import every year.

Compare: H&R Block vs. TurboTax

Filing Your Taxes Without a W-2

If you try but are unable to get a W-2, you can still file your taxes. To file your tax return on time when you have a missing or lost W-2, use Form 4852, the substitute for form W-2. You can find this form on the official IRS website.

Another option is to apply for an extension to file your taxes. Filing an extension using Form 4868 will allow you to delay filing a return until Oct. 15. Keep in mind, using this option only grants an extension on filing your tax forms, not on paying your taxes. To get an extension, you must still estimate your tax liability and pay the amount due on time.

Tips: Most Popular Things To Do With Your Tax Refund — and How To Do It Smarter

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What To Do for a W-2 Received After Filing Your Tax Return

If you estimated your income incorrectly and filed your return based on that information, you’ll need to correct the return. Amend your return using Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Filing an amended return could impact your refund or even require additional payment of taxes owed. It can also take up to 16 weeks for your amended to return to be processed.