- You may request a transcript of your W-2 or a copy of the actual W-2 from the IRS. The transcript is a printout of your W-2 data and includes pertinent information, such as taxable wages earned, taxes withheld from your paychecks for the year and the tax year and name of your employer. The W-2 copy is a photocopy of your W-2, and is, therefore, in the same format as the original form. Though the design of a W-2 transcript varies from the actual W-2, both documents have similar information.
- You may call the IRS to request a free W-2 transcript. When you call, you'll need to give the representative your identifying information, such as name, address, Social Security number and the name of your employer. If you worked for more than one employer during the year, the IRS can send you free transcripts of all of your W-2s. If you prefer, you may complete Form 4506-T to request the transcript. You can request up to four years' W-2 data on one form; complete another form to request additional years. Fax or mail the form to the fax number or address stated on Form 4506-T. It generally takes the IRS one or two weeks to process W-2 transcripts.
- To obtain an actual copy of your W-2, you'll need to complete Form 4506 and mail it to the address included on the Form 4506. The IRS keeps W-2 copies as an attachment to your tax return. Therefore, when you request a photocopy of your W-2, the agency mails you a copy of your entire tax return. You may request up to eight years' tax return on Form 4506. As of 2011, the IRS charges $57 per return. It can take the IRS up to 60 days to process your request.
- You may be able to obtain copies of your W-2 from your state revenue agency or controller's office. For example, if you work in California, you may request a duplicate W-2 from the state's controller office. You may request W-2s up to the last four years; a processing fee of $8.50 per tax year applies, as of 2011.
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