You would think filing taxes is stressful until you have a missing Form W-2!
A Form W-2 is a tax form that reports a worker’s annual wages and the amount of taxes deducted by their employer. In comparison, a wage and tax statement is a document that contains most of the information reported on a returns form like Form W-2.
Filled by a US employer and submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at the end of every year, a W-2 helps you file income tax returns, and helps the IRS accurately verify your income and withholdings.
But what happens when you can’t find your Form W-2?
Can I get a copy of Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from the IRS?
Fortunately, you can request for your wage and tax statement or a copy of your W-2 form from the IRS, in the case of a missing form. However, a copy of your Form W-2 is only available if you filed a paper tax return during your last tax filing.
Situations that Would Prompt a Form W-2 Request
You would need a physical copy of your W-2 form if;
- You are unable to get the original copy from your employer
- The original copy of your form is missing,
- Or if you plan to apply for bank loans or financial aid. A copy of your W-2 form is needed in this context for financial verifications and documentation purposes.
The fastest way to get a copy of your W-2 form is by contacting your employer or your company’s HR department. However, in the case of a failed attempt, you can make a request to the IRS.
Requesting a copy of Form W-2 from the IRS
You can only request for a copy of W-2 form from the IRS if you are unable to get it from your employer. The IRS charges a $30 fee for each W-2 copy requested. Processing of a W-2 form request by the IRS can take up to 75 days.
To request for a W-2 form, fill out a Form 4506 and submit to the IRS with the required fee.
Requesting a Wage and Tax Statement from the IRS
You can request for a wage and tax statement online, via a phone request, or through mail.
Online W-2 Form Request
This is the fastest way to request for a wage and tax statement. To make an online request, visit the IRS’ Get your tax Record page. Login to or create an online account with the IRS. With an online account, you can view, print, and download your transcript.
If you’re a new user, all you need is a one-time identity verification to access your transcripts at your convenience.
W-2 Form Request by Mail
You can request for a transcript by mail using your mailing address from your last tax returns. Complete and mail an IRS Request Form 4506-T to the IRS. Your transcript is expected to arrive 5 to 10 days from your request date.
W-2 Form Request by Phone
Another way to request for a wage and tax statement is by calling the IRS’ automated phone transcript service at 800-908-9946.
Conclusion
Getting a transcript or copy of Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from the IRS is possible by following specified procedures. However, the IRS attaches a fee for every copy of Form W-2 requested.
