Getting your w2 from a previous employer

Why Do You Need a W-2 from Your Previous Employer?

If you have started a new job in the past year, you will need a W-2 from your previous employer to accurately file your taxes. A W-2 form documents your income earned, and federal, state, and other taxes withheld. Your current and previous employer are required by the IRS to file a W-2 for every employee by January 31. Ensure you have received W-2 from your previous employer to avoid tax filing penalties.

How to Get a W-2 From a Previous Employer?

1. Check the Date

Watching the date gives you a sense of when to reach out to your previous employer or not. Your previous employer is responsible for filing your W-2 by January 31, but it may not arrive until early February. The IRS states you should receive your W-2 but at least February 14th.

1. Confirm your Current Address

With a new job in place, it is common to have changed your address. If you have not completed a change-of-address form, your mail will be sent to your previous address or potentially returned to your previous employer. Go to your local US Post Office to complete a change-of-address form. It typically takes 7-10 days to process the request before your mail arrives at your new address.

1. Search your Email

Many employers choose to send W-2 forms in a paperless or digital format. If you have not received your W-2 by mail, it may have been sent to your email. Check your inbox or spam folder to track down your W-2 form. Remember to search all email accounts as it could be sent to your previous work email address.

1. Contact your Former Employer

If you have not received your W-2 by early February, then it is necessary to contact your previous employer. Your previous organization’s HR department will typically be able to handle the issue the fastest. Otherwise, your previous manager will be able to help.

1. Contact the Payroll Administrator

Many companies use a third-party provider for payroll processing. Contact the payroll administrator directly to have your W-2 resent or to take care of the issue with it being sent late.

1. Contact the IRS

If you have not received your W-2 from your previous employer by February 14th contact the IRS immediately. The IRS will need your previous Employee Identification Number (EIN), your Social Security number, your previous employer’s contact information, and estimated earnings and dates you worked there. Once this information is provided, the IRS will send a reminder to your previous employer to send your W-2.

Tips For How to Get a W2 From a Previous Employer

If you are experiencing challenges getting your W-2 form by the April 15th deadline, check out some useful tips below:

1. Ask for an Extension 

If you are unable to get your W-2 in time, requesting an extension is the next best step. Form 4868 provides taxpayers with a six-month extension, giving you until Oct. 15 to file your tax return. Form 4868 can be completed electronically through an IRS e-file or a paper form. Filing a tax extension is free and automatic to save you the stress.

1. File Without a W-2

If you do not anticipate receiving a W-2 from your previous employer, Form 4852 serves as a substitute for a W-2, W-2c, and 1099-R form. Form 4852 is needed if your employer does not issue a W-2 or 1099-R form or if your employer issues an incorrect W-2 or 1099-R form. Complete and send Form 4852 to the IRS to ensure your tax return is accurately filed.

Tracking down your W-2 from a previous employer can be a hassle, but it is critical for filing your taxes and avoiding penalties. Click here to discover more useful tips and information on industry related topics.

You’re ready to file your taxes — except for one thing: You’re still awaiting an IRS Form W-2 from an employer.

Each January, companies issue W-2s to inform workers, and Uncle Sam, of the amount of money the worker made during the previous year and how much in income, Social Security and Medicare tax was withheld. If you file without all of your W-2s, it could delay processing of your return — and the arrival of any refund.

Federal law requires employers to send W-2s to workers by Jan. 31 each year, or a few days later if the end of the month falls on a weekend. If you're still waiting on your earnings statement, here are six steps you can take.

1. Check your calendar

If you’re expecting a refund, you probably want it as soon as possible. But technically, your employer meets the Jan. 31 delivery date requirement as long as it gets your W-2 in the mail by Jan. 31. If your company didn't drop your W-2 into a U.S. Postal Service box until the very last day of the month, it could still be on its way to you during the first days of February.

2. Search your email

Many companies now give workers electronic access to company documents, including tax statements. While most won't actually email your W-2 because of security concerns, they will send you an email notice that you can go to the company's employee portal and download your earnings statement. If that message hasn’t appeared in your inbox, check your spam folder.

3. Call your company

If you’re well into February and there's still no W-2 in your email or snail mail box, it's time to touch base with your company's payroll or human resources department. Your employer might have a wrong address for you and your W-2 may have bounced back as undeliverable. In that case, correcting your address and asking your employer to reissue the document can solve the problem.

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4. Contact the IRS

If you find yourself deep into February without your W-2, it's time to get the IRS involved. If your efforts to get a copy from your employer have proved fruitless, call the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040. During that call you'll need:

• Your name, address, phone number and Social Security number.

• Your employer's name, address and phone number.

• The dates you worked for the employer.

• An estimate of your wages and federal income tax withheld last year. Your last pay stub of the tax year should have these amounts.

With this information, the IRS will contact your workplace about the missing tax document.

5. File without a W-2

Filing without a W-2 will slow down processing of your return, but that might be preferable to waiting for your company to get you another copy.

It's also an option if your employer went out of business and you can't track it down to request W-2 data. In this case, you can submit a Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, with your return. This document asks you to estimate your wages and taxes withheld last year. Again, your final pay stub can help provide these figures.

6. Request more time to file

If you want to wait for your official W-2, you may need to request more time to file your tax return. Filing Form 4868 will give you an automatic six-month extension to file your 1040.

An extension only gives you more time to file your tax forms. It is not an extension to pay any tax you owe. You must estimate how much tax you owe and include that amount with Form 4868. Interest and penalties may apply if you pay less than what you actually owe, so take your estimate seriously.

Regardless of which approach you take, file your return or extension request by the tax-filing deadline. If your official earnings statement arrives after you've filed your taxes, you can amend your tax return to reflect the accurate amount.

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