Employers are generally required to send out (or make available) your Form W‑2 no later than January 31 following the end of the tax year.

Key deadline (including 2026 timing)

  • Federal law says employers must provide W‑2s to employees by January 31 each year (mail, electronic delivery, or in person).
  • If January 31 falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day.
  • For the 2025 tax year (the W‑2 you receive in early 2026), January 31, 2026 falls on a Saturday, so the due date to send W‑2s is February 2, 2026.

“Sent” vs “received”

  • Employers meet the requirement as long as they send or make your W‑2 available by the deadline; it may take several days to arrive by mail.
  • If mailed on the deadline date to your correct address, they are treated as compliant even if you don’t see it for a week or two.

Filing with SSA (employer side)

  • Employers must also file Copy A of each W‑2 with the Social Security Administration by the same deadline (January 31, or the next business day).

What if your W‑2 is late?

  • If you don’t have your W‑2 by the end of February , the usual advice is:
    1. Contact your employer or HR and confirm your mailing address and delivery method.
2. If you still don’t receive it by the end of February, you can contact the IRS; they may reach out to the employer and can provide Form 4852 as a substitute W‑2.

Quick HTML table for reference

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Tax year</th>
      <th>W-2 must be sent by</th>
      <th>Rule</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Any year (general rule)</td>
      <td>January 31 (or next business day)</td>
      <td>Employers must provide W-2s to employees by this date. [web:1][web:3][web:7]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>2025 tax year (forms received in 2026)</td>
      <td>February 2, 2026</td>
      <td>Jan 31, 2026 is a Saturday, so the deadline shifts to Monday, Feb 2, 2026. [web:8][web:9][web:10]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR: Employers must send your W‑2 by January 31, or the next business day if that date is a weekend/holiday; for the 2025 tax year, that date is February 2, 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.