How to Get a W-2 From a Past Company
A W-2 is the Internal Revenue Service's "Wage and Tax Statement" form. Employers are required to deliver these forms to every employee by the end of January of the following year. When you file your tax return, you must include a W-2 from each company that employed you. If you are missing a W-2 from one of your employers, you do have some recourse.
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Instructions
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Call the company and request a copy of your W-2 to your address.
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Send the company a letter requesting that they mail you a copy of your W-2. Be sure to include a return address within the body of your letter.
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Email your old supervisor, the owner of the company or the Human Resources Department to request a copy of your W-2. Again, be sure to include your return address.
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Check the company's website. Many large companies include a website link so former and present employees can electronically fill out a form to request a W-2.
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Make every effort to contact the employer to obtain your W-2, even if the employer is no longer in business. Send a letter via certified mail, return receipt requested. This should be sent to the employer's last known operating address. If it comes back unsigned, you will still not have a copy of your W-2, but you will at least have compelling evidence that you made every effort to obtain the form.
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Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Be sure to demonstrate to them that you have made extensive effort to obtain the form. The IRS will attempt to locate the missing form. If the missing form is the one you need to complete your tax return for that year, the IRS will give you instructions on what steps to take while they attempt to locate the form. This will most likely include filling out Form 4852 or Form 1099-R. Download the form from irs.gov.
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Tips & Warnings
If all you need is the information from a W-2, obtain that for no charge directly from the IRS for the past 10 years. Use Form 4506-T, "Request for Transcript of Tax Return."
If you need a copy of your W-2 from the IRS, you must order a copy of your entire tax return for that year. As of January 2010, this cost $57. Simply submit Form 4506, "Request for Copy of Tax Return."
References
Resources
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