When can I expect my W-2 to arrive?

The deadline for employers to send out W-2 forms that detail your earnings and withholdings was officially January 31.

Usually, you can anticipate having your W-2 by the first week of February. However, some may have accessed it sooner through their employer’s online portal or by importing it directly with tax preparation software.

The timeline for receiving your W-2 remains the same this tax season, although many still inquire about it regularly.

According to the IRS, your employer must issue or mail you Form W-2, also known as a “Wage and Tax Statement,” by January 31 at the latest. If sent by mail, you should allow some time to receive it before reaching out to your employer. If the form hasn’t arrived by early February, you can seek assistance from the IRS, who can request it from your employer on your behalf.

If your W-2 has not arrived by February 15, it is advisable to contact the IRS at 800-829-1040. Even if your former employer is out of business, they still need to provide you with your W-2.

Some employers also give employees online access to their W-2 forms.

Additionally, various online tax preparation services can assist in retrieving this data. For instance, TurboTax collaborates with numerous payroll providers and financial institutions, allowing users to import their W-2 and 1099 details directly into their tax returns.

This tax season, the IRS has introduced a new free system called Direct File, which is accessible to many taxpayers in 25 states. It now features enhancements that bring it closer to commercial tax software. One of the new additions is a tool for importing data, enabling users to automatically retrieve information from their IRS account, including personal details and specifics from their W-2.

If you worked for multiple employers in 2024, ensure you collect all W-2 forms from each of them.

The IRS specifies: “Every employer engaged in a trade or business who pays any form of compensation, including noncash payments, of $600 or more for the year (or any amount if income, Social Security, or Medicare tax was withheld) for services performed by an employee must file a Form W-2 for each employee (even if the employee is related to the employer) if:

• Income, Social Security, or Medicare tax was withheld.
• Income tax would have been withheld if the employee had claimed no more than one withholding allowance or had not claimed exemption from withholding on Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate.

Get in touch with personal finance writer Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on X @tompor.