Employers start sending out W-2 forms in January , and they are legally required to have them sent or made available to you by January 31 each year for the previous tax year. If that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

Key dates

  • Employers must furnish or mail W-2s to employees no later than January 31.
  • If mailed on or before January 31, it is still considered on time as long as it reaches you within a reasonable mailing window (usually within about two weeks).
  • Many employers release W-2s earlier in January , especially via online payroll or HR portals, so you might see yours anytime from early to mid-January.

When you’ll likely see it

  • Online access:
    • If your employer uses an online portal, W-2s are often posted there as soon as they’re generated, sometimes in mid-January.
  • By mail:
    • Mailed W-2s that go out right at the January 31 deadline usually arrive in the first or second week of February , depending on postal delays.

If you still don’t have it

  • If you do not see your W-2 by early February , first contact your employer or former employer to confirm your address or portal access.
  • If it is still missing by mid- to late February , guidance from tax resources is to contact the IRS, which can reach out to the employer and may help you file using substitute information.

Quick Scoop summary

  • W-2s are for the prior year’s wages and taxes , and the send-out season is every January.
  • Legal deadline for employers to send or provide: January 31.
  • Expect physical mail W-2s around late January to early February , with faster access if your employer posts them online.

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