Before you can file your taxes, you need to have received the appropriate documents. This includes W-2s when you work as an employee. Thanks to advances in technology, you may not have to wait for a copy to arrive in the mail.
There's a good chance you can access the W-2 online, allowing you to prepare your tax return much faster. Of course, employers don't have to legally make the form available until January 31, but at least you'll be able to eliminate the time it would take for the W-2 to travel through the postal system.
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Consider Also: W-2 Forms: What It Is, Who Gets One & How It Works
Find W-2 Online: Employee Portal
The first place to go when wondering "how to find my W2 online" is to check the company's employee portal. For example, if you are an employee of Entertainment Partners, you'd find that an Entertainment Partners W-2 online can be accessed via any electronic device, including a laptop, tablet or phone. All you'd need to do is sign in to your account (or create one if it is your first time using the employee portal). This particular company even allows you to download W-2s from previous years if needed.
According to Entertainment Partners, once you log in to your account with your user ID and password, you'll need to click on "Access Current Year-End Statements" under the heading "Year-End Tax Statements." From there, users check the boxes next to the specific tax documents they want to access, as well as the download delivery box, and then click the blue "Review & Complete Order" button. Once you confirm and submit the request, you'll be able to download, save and print the W-2.
While your company's employee portal may differ slightly, you should be able to locate the W-2 under similar headings. Contact the payroll department if you encounter any trouble navigating the portal.
Talk to the Payroll Department
Since not all employers use online portals, ADP recommends you contact the company's payroll or benefits department to request a copy of your W-2. Payroll staff may be willing to email you a copy of the W-2 that you can download and print from your home computer. That way you won't have to wait for the paper copy to arrive in the mail.
Consider Also: Tax Filing Status: How to Choose the Correct Filing Status
Use H&R Block's Early Access
Many employers choose to partner with H&R Block by providing their employees' W-2s. If the company you work for participates, you can use H&R Block's Early Access program to retrieve a copy of your W-2. All you need to do is head to the website and either enter your employer's name or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
Once you locate this information, you can request that your W-2 be electronically available at the H&R Block office near you. Call the office afterward and make an appointment to pick up the form.
Get Help From the IRS
If you can't find a W-2 online and you don't receive a paper copy in the mail, you can contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for help by calling 800-829-1040. Provide the agent with the following information and they will reach out to the company on your behalf:
- Employer name, address and phone number
- Your name, address and phone number
- Your Social Security number
- The dates of your employment
- The year-to-date total from the last paycheck of the tax year
If you still don't get your W-2 form by the IRS's deadline, the IRS requires you to file your taxes anyway. You'll need to use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement to estimate your wages.
Consider Also: Tax Return Preparation: Tax Services, Tax Help & More