How to Get a Copy of My 2008 W2 From Work
Keeping tax records that go back at least seven years is a good idea--particularly if you get audited by the IRS and need to prove the income that you received in previous years. If you are missing your 2008 W2 forms, you should contact your employer as soon as possible to have the forms sent to you. It is much easier to get past tax records from companies that are still in business. Getting W2 forms from employers that are no longer in business is possible but may require additional steps.
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Instructions
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Contact the payroll or human resources department at your company and ask who you should speak to about getting a copy of your 2008 W2 form.
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Submit a verbal or written request for the form. Companies are required by the IRS to keep employment records for at least four years.
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Go directly to the IRS if the records you need go back further than four years. Request and fill out Form 4506. For a fee, the IRS will provide you with a copy of your 2008 tax return, plus the attachments. If you only need a free transcript of the information provided on the 2008 W2 form, fill out Form 4506-T. The transcript won't give you state or local tax information, however.
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Send a certified letter to the company's last known address to request copies of your 2008 W2 forms if the business is defunct. In many cases, the mail will be forwarded to the business owner, who can help you obtain the information you need. If you have contact information for your past employer, you also can try calling him to request copies of your past employment records.
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Be prepared to wait up to a week for the copy of your 2008 W2, depending on how large the company is. In many cases, W2 forms can be furnished almost immediately.
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Tips & Warnings
If you need the W2 to resolve a Social Security matter, you can contact the Social Security Administration for a free copy of the document. The SSA can be reached by calling 1-800-772-1213.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit tax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
