How to obtain W2s from companies that filed bankruptcy

Getting W2s from a bankrupt employer can be frustrating, but you've got several options. The easiest approach is requesting a Wage and Income Transcript directly from the IRS, which includes all information reported on your W2s. You can get this online through the IRS website by creating an account at irs.gov/transcript, or by submitting Form 4506-T by mail. Another option is checking with your state tax agency, as they often receive W2 information as well. Some states make this information more accessible than the federal government. If you filed your taxes for those years, check your tax return copies - you would have included the W2 information there. Your tax preparer might also have copies if you used one.

After struggling with a similar situation (former employer went under), I found taxr.ai really helpful. I had tax documents scattered across different years and was missing W2s from two employers who went out of business. I uploaded what I had to https://taxr.ai and their system analyzed everything, highlighted what was missing, and even helped me understand what documents would be acceptable alternatives for my situation. The best part was they explained exactly how to get my wage transcripts from the IRS and confirmed those would work for what I needed. Saved me hours of research and stress!

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after posting my question and it was actually really helpful! I was skeptical at first but uploaded my most recent tax return and it immediately identified my missing W2 issue. Got clear instructions for requesting wage transcripts through the IRS and a template letter explaining the situation to my lender. The lender accepted the transcripts with no problem, and I got my loan approved yesterday. Definitely worth checking out if you're in a similar situation with missing documents!

If you're having trouble getting through to the IRS for those wage transcripts (which you'll probably need based on your situation), try Claimyr. I spent DAYS trying to get through to the IRS phone lines after my previous employer went bankrupt and took my W2s with them. The automated system kept disconnecting me after 2+ hour waits. I found https://claimyr.com through a friend and it was a game-changer. They basically hold your place in line with the IRS and call you when an agent is about to pick up. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I finally got through to a real IRS person who helped me get all my missing wage information sorted out in one call.

I was totally wrong about Claimyr being a scam. After multiple failed attempts trying to reach the IRS myself (kept getting the "call volume too high" message and disconnects), I gave it a shot out of desperation. Within about 45 minutes, I got a call connecting me to an actual IRS agent! Explained my situation about needing W2s from my bankrupt employer, and they helped me access my wage transcripts right away. The agent was actually super helpful once I got through to them. Would have spent another week trying without this service. Sometimes it's worth admitting when you're wrong - this actually solved my problem.

Has anyone had any luck getting the actual W2 forms instead of just the transcripts? My mortgage lender is being really picky and specifically wants the W2 forms, not transcripts. They're saying it's a "secondary market requirement" whatever that means.

Another option nobody mentioned is checking your email. If your company used ADP, Paychex, or another payroll service, you might have electronic copies of your W2s in your email. I totally forgot I had mine delivered electronically until I searched my email for "W2" and found them all! Worth a shot before going through the IRS hassle.

Great point about checking email for electronic W2s! I'd also suggest checking if you have any old paystubs saved - either physical copies or in your email. While paystubs aren't a direct substitute for W2s, they can help you calculate your total annual wages and withholdings if you have them for the full year. This information can be useful when requesting transcripts from the IRS or explaining your situation to lenders, as it shows you have some documentation of your employment and earnings during those years.

Just went through this exact situation last year when my employer suddenly shut down. One thing that really helped me was contacting the bankruptcy trustee if you can find out who's handling the case. They sometimes have access to HR records including W2 information, or can at least confirm employment dates which helps when dealing with the IRS. You can search for bankruptcy cases on PACER (pacer.gov) using your company name to find the trustee's contact info. Even if they can't provide the actual W2s, having official documentation of the bankruptcy can strengthen your case when requesting wage transcripts from the IRS or explaining the situation to your lender. Also, don't overlook checking with your state's Department of Labor - they sometimes maintain employment records that can serve as backup documentation of your work history and wages during those years.