Introduction
W-2 forms are important documents that show the amount of money an employee earned during a tax year and the taxes withheld from those earnings. Employers are required to provide employees with a W-2 by January 31st of each year. These forms are essential for filing income taxes. However, sometimes, for one reason or another, you may not have access to an old W-2 form. This can pose problems when it’s time to file taxes. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can retrieve old W-2 forms so that you can file your taxes correctly.
Contact Your Previous Employer
The first thing you should do to retrieve an old W-2 form is to contact your previous employer. This can be done by phone, email, or mail. Be sure to have the necessary information such as your name, social security number, and the years you worked for the employer. You should also be able to provide the address where the W-2 forms should be sent.
It’s important to give your employer enough time to process your request. Typically, it can take up to two weeks to receive a response from your previous employer. Be sure to make your request early enough to give you enough time before the tax filing deadline.
Check With the IRS
If for some reason you’re unable to contact your previous employer, you can check with the IRS. The IRS keeps a record of all W-2 forms filed under your social security number. To retrieve your W-2 form from the IRS, you will need to fill out Form 4506-T. This form allows you to request a transcript of your tax return. Be sure to fill out the form accurately, including your personal information and the tax years you need transcripts for.
Once you’ve filled out Form 4506-T, you can mail it to the IRS or fax it to the number included on the form. The IRS typically takes around 10 business days to process your request.
Use an Online W-2 Retrieval Service
If you need your old W-2 form quickly, using an online retrieval service may be your best option. There are many online services available that allow you to retrieve your W-2 form from previous years. These services typically charge a fee to retrieve the forms. However, the fees are usually reasonable.
To use an online W-2 retrieval service, you will need to provide your personal information and pay the service fee. Once the fee is paid, the service will retrieve your W-2 form from the IRS or your previous employer and make it available to you for download or mailing. The advantage of this service is that you can usually get your old W-2 form within a few hours or days after placing your request.
The disadvantage of using an online retrieval service is that you have to pay a fee. Furthermore, not all services are reliable, so be sure to do your research and choose a reputable service.
Check Your State’s Tax Website
If you’ve worked in a state that collects personal income tax, you may be able to retrieve your old W-2 form from the state tax website. To retrieve your W-2 form from the state tax website, you will need to create an account on the website. Once you’ve created your account, you can access your tax information, including W-2 forms from the previous years.
Be sure to have your personal information on hand, including your social security number and the tax years you need W-2 forms for.
The timeline for retrieving your old W-2 form from the state tax website varies depending on the state. Some states can provide the forms within a few days, while others may take up to a week or more.
Check With Your Payroll Provider
If you’re still having trouble retrieving your old W-2 forms, you can try contacting your payroll provider. If you’ve changed jobs, you may have worked for more than one employer that used the same payroll provider. In this case, you can contact the payroll provider and request your old W-2 forms.
Be sure to have the necessary information such as your name, social security number, and the years you worked for the employer. The payroll provider may also require you to provide a valid reason for the request, such as needing the forms for tax purposes.
The timeline for retrieving your old W-2 form from the payroll provider depends on the provider. Some providers can provide the forms within a few days, while others may take up to a week or more.
File Your Taxes Without Your W-2
If for some reason you’re still unable to retrieve your old W-2 forms, you can file your taxes without them by using Form 4852. This form allows you to estimate your income and taxes withheld from your paychecks. Be sure to estimate your income and taxes as accurately as possible.
Filing your taxes without your W-2 forms may delay your tax refund. However, you can still file your taxes on time and avoid penalties for not filing on time. If you do receive your W-2 forms after filing your taxes, you can file an amended tax return to correct any errors or omissions.
Conclusion
Retrieving old W-2 forms can be time-consuming and frustrating, but it’s important to have them for tax purposes. There are several ways to retrieve old W-2 forms, including contacting your previous employer, checking with the IRS, using an online W-2 retrieval service, checking your state tax website, and checking with your payroll provider. If all else fails, you can still file your taxes without your W-2 form using Form 4852. Regardless of the method used, it’s important to keep copies of your W-2 forms for future reference.
