Can I get my W2 from the IRS if I can't access it from my previous employer?

So let me get this straight, if I request a wage and income transcript, will it show ALL the same information that would be on my W-2? Like the exact amount that was withheld for federal taxes and everything? And you said it wouldn't be available until May-June, but the tax deadline is in April... does that mean I'd have to file an extension?

The wage and income transcript will contain all the information reported on your W-2, including wages earned and all tax withholdings. It shows the same information the IRS has received from your employer. If the transcript isn't available before the April filing deadline, you should file an extension using Form 4868, which gives you until October to file your completed return. Remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay, so if you expect to owe taxes, you should estimate and pay that amount by the April deadline to avoid penalties and interest.

How accurate was the estimation compared to your actual W-2 info? I'm worried about filing with estimated numbers and then getting in trouble if they're way off.

Does this service help with multiple missing W-2s? I worked for 3 different companies last year and I'm only missing one W-2, but I'm worried about how everything fits together for filing.

The estimation was surprisingly accurate! I had my December pay stub which showed year-to-date totals, and the numbers they helped me calculate were almost identical to what eventually showed up on my transcript when I got it later. Yes, the service handles multiple W-2 situations too. They'll help you figure out the missing piece and make sure everything fits together properly for your return. They even explained how to amend my return later if needed, but the numbers were so close I didn't have to.

Wait, how does this actually work? The IRS phone system is notorious for hanging up on people. Are you saying this service somehow gets you through the phone maze?

Sounds like BS to me. Nobody can get through to the IRS these days. I've been trying for 3 months about an issue with my previous return. I'll believe it when I see it.

It works by constantly calling the IRS for you and navigating through their phone system until there's an opening. When they get through, they call you and connect you directly to the IRS agent. No more waiting on hold for hours or getting disconnected! The service was created specifically because of how hard it is to reach the IRS. That's why it works - they've basically automated the frustrating part of constantly redialing and waiting. That's also why they have that video demo showing the process. It's definitely not BS - it literally saved me weeks of frustration.

Thanks for that suggestion! Do you know how long that process usually takes? I'm worried about missing the filing deadline.

It varies by state, but in my experience it typically takes 2-3 weeks. They usually contact the employer first and give them a deadline to comply. If the employer still doesn't provide the W-2, then the labor department might take further action. If you're concerned about the filing deadline, remember you can always file an extension with Form 4868. Just be aware that if you owe taxes, you should try to pay what you estimate you'll owe by the original deadline to avoid penalties, even if you file the actual return later.

You can't directly file with just a paystub. You have to fill out Form 4852 (Substitute for W-2) using the information from your paystub. It's doable but can be tricky because paystubs don't always show exactly what will be on your W-2. Things like employer-provided health insurance and retirement contributions can make the numbers different.

Thanks for the clarification! I misunderstood what my tax person was saying. Sounds like they meant using the paystub to fill out that substitute form. Good to know there's an official way to handle this situation.

That's such a great point about checking email! I completely forgot that some employers do send electronic copies. I just went through my old work email and found mine from last January - it was in a folder I never check. You just saved me so much stress! For anyone else reading this, also check if your employer uses any payroll services like ADP or Paychex that might have sent separate notifications about W-2 availability.

That's a really smart approach! I never thought about reaching out to former coworkers. It's so frustrating when HR departments just ignore you, but having an inside person who can actually walk over to the right desk or send a direct email to the payroll person makes total sense. I wish I had thought of this when I was dealing with my missing W-2 situation. For anyone trying this route, you could also ask your former coworker if they know who specifically handles W-2s in payroll - sometimes it's not even HR but a different department entirely.

Thanks for mentioning the Taxpayer Advocate Service! I had no idea this existed. This sounds like it could be really helpful for situations where you've exhausted other options and are running up against deadlines. Do you know if there are any specific criteria for when they'll take on a case, or can anyone contact them for help with missing W-2 issues? I'm wondering if they prioritize certain types of problems or if there's a waiting period to get assistance.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service will generally take on cases where you've experienced significant hardship or haven't been able to resolve your issue through normal IRS channels. For missing W-2 situations, they typically want to see that you've already tried contacting your employer and maybe even called the IRS directly without success. There's no formal waiting period, but they do prioritize cases based on the severity of the hardship and timing issues. Since tax filing deadlines create time pressure, that actually works in your favor. When you call or apply online, they'll ask about what steps you've already taken and how the delay is affecting you. The good news is that they're really designed for exactly these kinds of situations where people are stuck between unresponsive employers and IRS bureaucracy.

This is such a helpful tip! I didn't realize that payroll services often maintain their own separate systems. I just tried logging into ADP with my old credentials and was able to access my W-2 even though I've been locked out of my former company's main portal for months. For anyone trying this, also check if the payroll service sent you a separate registration email when you first started - sometimes they create accounts that are independent of your employer's system. It's definitely worth trying before going through all the IRS transcript processes. Thanks for this suggestion!