As we enter tax season, anticipation rises from employees everywhere – “When am I going to get my W-2?”
(Even the government shutdown won’t stop these questions from coming!)
What is a Form W-2?
Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, shows the income and taxes withheld from an employee’s pay for the year and is necessary to file your taxes. Don’t confuse this with a Form W-4. That’s for individuals to complete for withholding purposes; a Form W-2 is for employers to complete.
Employees should receive a Form W-2 from each of their employers where they worked during the prior year.
Typically, employers have until Jan. 31, to send the prior year Form W-2 earnings statement to their employees. If an employer is mailing Forms W-2 to their employees, they must be postmarked by Jan. 31, so it may take a week or so to arrive.
If you haven’t received your Form W-2 by mid-February, follow these four steps: