You usually get your W‑2 directly from your employer (or former employer), either by mail or through an online payroll portal, and if that fails you can go through the IRS or Social Security Administration to get copies.

Main ways to get your W‑2

  • From your employer: Employers must send W‑2 forms to employees by January 31 each year, either by mail or electronically through an HR/payroll system (like Workday, ADP, Paychex, etc.).
  • Online payroll/HR portal: Log in to your employer’s payroll or HR site and look for a “Tax Forms” or “W‑2” section; many employers now post W‑2s there for download and printing.
  • From a former employer: If you no longer work there, contact the company’s HR or payroll department and ask them to reissue or provide access to your W‑2; they are still required to provide it for the years you worked.

If you didn’t get it

  • Wait through January, then call: If it’s after January 31 and you still don’t have your W‑2, call or email your employer’s payroll/HR office and confirm your mailing address and how they issued the form.
  • Still no luck? Contact the IRS: If your employer does not respond or refuses to send it, you can contact the IRS, which can request the W‑2 information from your employer and send you a Wage and Income Transcript with the wage and withholding data.
  • Lost an old W‑2?: You can request copies or printouts of past W‑2s (1978–present) from the Social Security Administration, with a fee if the request is not for a Social Security–related reason.

Extra options and tools

  • Tax software import: Some tax software can automatically import your W‑2 using your employer’s info and your personal details if the employer participates in electronic W‑2 sharing.
  • As a last resort for filing: If you cannot get a W‑2 in time, the IRS allows you to file using Form 4852 (a substitute W‑2) based on your last pay stub, but you should still keep trying to obtain the actual W‑2.

If you tell what country you’re in and whether this is for a current or past job, a more tailored step‑by‑step can be given.