Employers are generally required to provide W‑2 forms to employees by January 31 following the end of the tax year, though the exact due date can shift slightly when that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday.

Key W‑2 deadlines

  • For most years, employers must furnish W‑2s to employees no later than January 31 of the year after wages were paid.
  • If January 31 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is pushed to the next business day.
  • Employers also must file W‑2 copies with the Social Security Administration (SSA) by this same deadline in most years.

Special timing notes

  • For the 2025–2026 filing season, IRS guidance describes furnishing W‑2 copies to employees by early February (for example, February 2, 2026, when January 31 falls on a weekend), which still effectively tracks the “end of January/next business day” rule.
  • Employers may provide W‑2s earlier than the deadline, including to employees who left during the year, but they still must meet the final due date (end of January / next business day of the following year).

If your W‑2 is late

  • If you have not received your W‑2 by the end of February, the usual guidance is to first contact your employer or payroll department to request a copy.
  • If you still do not receive it after contacting your employer, IRS resources explain that you can then contact the IRS, which may ask the employer to issue the missing W‑2 and may provide you with a substitute form (Form 4852) to help you file.

Quick recap for search/SEO

  • Main focus keyword: when are employers required to provide w2
  • Core answer: Employers are required to provide W‑2s by January 31 (or the next business day when that date is a weekend/holiday), and must also file them with the SSA by that same general deadline.

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