Introduction
Your W2 is an essential financial document that you will need when you file your taxes. As you change or leave jobs, you will need to get a W2 from your previous employer so that you have all the information you need to file your taxes. Don’t worry if you’ve already left your previous job. We’ll teach you how to get a W2 from your previous employer. It’s easier than you think.
Why You Need to Get a W2 From Your Previous Employer
The IRS requires organizations to send employees W2 forms if they earn $600 or more during the past financial year. These are usually automatically sent out to both current and former employees.
Your W2 contains vital information that you’ll need to fill out when filing your taxes. You’ll need to calculate the information across all your jobs and other earnings. The W2 provides information like:
- Dependent care benefits.
- Employer-funded healthcare.
- Retirement contributions.
- Taxes withheld (including state and federal taxes, plus Medicare and Social Security taxes.)
- Your earnings for the financial year.
You’ll need to get a W2 from all the jobs you held that financial year to correctly file your tax returns.
How to Get a W2 From a Previous Employer
Your employers (both current and previous) should automatically send you a copy of your W2 via mail. These are sent out during the month of January so that you receive them before the tax filing deadline. If you haven’t received them in January, then you should contact your employer so that you don’t incur late penalties from the IRS.
Let’s dive into how to get a W2 from a previous employer.
How to Make It Easier to Get a W2 From a Previous Employer
Before W2s are due to be sent out, there are a few things you can do to make it easier to receive it. Here are some tips to make it easier to get a W2 from a previous employer:
- Update your address – Keep your former employer updated with your current address if you are expecting a W2. Employers send W2s by mail, so if they don’t have your new address, then they might send your W2 to your previous address. Alternatively, you could file a change of address form with the post office so that your mail is forwarded to your current address. Both of these options will ensure you get a W2 from a previous employer.
- Check your email – Some employers send paperless W2 forms. Some may even allow their employees to choose how they want to get a W2 form (paperless or via mail). If that is the case, your previous employer will email you with a link to a secure online portal where you can view your W2.
- Know the dates – It can be helpful to know the dates of when you can expect to get a W2 from a previous employer. Employers need to send W2s out by the 31st of January. You should receive it no later than Valentine’s Day. Keep a note of these dates so you can contact your previous employer if you are still waiting on your W2.
How to Get a W2 from a Previous Employer if You Haven’t Received One
If the end of January has passed and you haven’t received your W2, there are a few things you can do to get a W2 from your previous employer.
- Contact your previous employer – Reach out to your previous employer if you haven’t received your W2 on time. The HR department may be the best point of contact. (They will definitely be able to tell you who you should contact.) The best way to get a W2 from your previous employer is to ask the HR representative if they could check the status of your W2 and if the mailing address on file is correct. That will help you to identify any issues that might have delayed your W2.
- Contact the IRS – If for some reason you cannot get a W2 from a previous employer, then contact the IRS. Have a pay stub from the previous employer handy when you call so you can provide the IRS with the information they need. The IRS will help you get a W2 from your previous employer by contacting your employer on your behalf. You can either call the IRS or visit in person.
What to Do If You Can’t Get a W2 From a Previous Employer
Sometimes it may be difficult to get a W2 from a previous employer. Don’t worry if that’s the case, there are avenues you can explore to ensure you get your W2 by the tax filing deadline. These options will ensure you don’t get penalized, but they may mean that your tax refund is delayed.
The first option is to contact the IRS to request an extension. You can do this by submitting IRS Form 4868. This will give you an additional 6 months to get a W2 from a previous employer and file your tax return if the IRS accepts. You will still need to pay your taxes on time – the form will ask you to estimate how much tax you owe so you can do this.
The second option is to file your taxes without your W2. This is reserved for extreme circumstances, like your previous employer is no longer operational. In that situation, you would calculate your taxes using past pay stubs. You would need to file IRS form 4852 to let the IRS know you weren’t able to get a W2 from a previous employer.
These forms can be downloaded from the IRS website. You must submit them before the tax filing deadline in April.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Get a W2 From a Previous Employer
Still got questions on how to get a W2 from a previous employer? Here are some FAQs.
Can I Get a W2 From Years Ago?
Yes, you can get a copy of a past W2 form as far back as 1978 from the US Social Security Administration. This will likely incur a fee unless you are requesting the past W2 for a reason relating to social security.
What Information Is on a W2 Form?
The reason why it is so useful to get a W2 from a previous employer is because it includes a lot of financial information, like:
- Dependent care benefits.
- 401k contributions.
- Employer-funded healthcare and premiums.
- Retirement contributions.
- Health savings account contributions.
- Taxes withheld (including state and federal taxes, plus Medicare and Social Security taxes.)
- Your earnings for the financial year.
Once You Get a W2 from a Previous Employer How do You Attach the W2 When Filing Tax Returns?
The process is different depending on whether you are filing your taxes online or via mail.
Online
When you are filing your taxes online, you don’t need to attach your W2 form. Instead, you will be prompted to the W2 form information online.
Mail
When you file your taxes via mail, include all your W2 forms (including W2 from a previous employer) in the same envelope as your tax return when you send it to the IRS.
What If I Forget to Send my W2 Form to the IRS?
Don’t worry if you forget to send your W2 form to the IRS. Just keep your W2 somewhere safe and easy to find. The IRS will probably contact you to obtain a copy of the missing document. If they do, send your W2 as soon as possible as otherwise you may delay your tax return.
Can I Get a W2 from a Previous Employer By Email?
It depends on whether your previous employer uses email or not. The IRS requires employers to send W2 forms via mail or through a secure payment portal. They cannot scan and attach your W2 to an email as it is not considered secure.
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