Relocated but didn't update my address in ADP - worried about getting my W-2

This happens more often than you'd think! No need to panic. You have a few options to get your W-2: First, try contacting your former employer's HR department directly. They can usually arrange to have your W-2 sent to your current address. Many companies keep records of former employees specifically for tax purposes. Second, if you still have access to your ADP account, you might be able to log in and update your address or even download an electronic copy of your W-2 when it becomes available. ADP typically maintains access for former employees specifically for tax document purposes. If neither of those options work, you can request a wage and income transcript from the IRS after the employer reports your information to them (usually after January 31st). The transcript contains all the information that would be on your W-2. As a last resort, you can file Form 4852 (Substitute for W-2) with your tax return, but try the other options first since they're much simpler.

I went through something similar last year and discovered a lifesaver called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) after stressing about missing documents. They have this document recovery tool that helped me get access to my W-2 info even though I never received the physical form. I uploaded some basic info about my employment and they were able to pull my tax documents. Saved me from having to chase down my old employer's HR department which wasn't responding to my emails. Their system can retrieve various tax documents including W-2s from previous employers by securely accessing IRS records. The verification process is straightforward and I had my info within a couple days instead of waiting for weeks.

Just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai since I ended up trying it after posting here. It actually worked perfectly for my situation with multiple missing W-2s! I was skeptical about providing my info but the security seemed solid, and I was able to get all three of my W-2s including the one from the employer who never responded to my emails. The process took about 48 hours total but saved me so much headache. Definitely recommend it if you're still struggling to get your documents from ADP.

Another option you might not know about is Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I had a similar issue last year and needed to talk to someone at the IRS about missing W-2 information. Spent HOURS on hold trying to reach a human at the IRS with no luck. A friend recommended Claimyr and it was honestly a game-changer. They have this system that essentially waits on hold with the IRS for you and then calls you when an actual human agent is on the line. The IRS can help with W-2 issues after January 31st if your employer doesn't respond. They have ways to contact employers and can also provide you with the information you need for filing. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - it saved me literally hours of hold time.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway since nothing else was working. Used it yesterday to contact the IRS about my missing documents situation and it actually did exactly what it promised. I got a call back after about 45 minutes (which is WAY faster than I expected during tax season), and was connected to an IRS agent who helped me verify what forms had been submitted by my employers. The agent was able to confirm all my W-2 information and even sent me a transcript. Saved me from filing an incomplete return or having to file an extension. For anyone in a similar situation - this service is legitimate and works as advertised.

If you're still in contact with any former coworkers, you could ask when they receive their W-2s and see if your old employer is sending them electronically or by mail this year. My company switched to electronic W-2s through ADP and didn't make a big announcement about it - I almost missed mine because I was looking for a paper copy.

Has anyone used H&R Block to help with this kind of problem? I'm wondering if tax prep services can help track down missing W-2s or if I need to do all the legwork myself.

I've been through this exact situation! First, definitely try calling your former employer's HR department directly - they're usually pretty good about resending W-2s to updated addresses. Most companies expect this to happen with former employees. If that doesn't work, here's a tip that saved me: check if you can still access your ADP account. Even after leaving a job, ADP often keeps your account active for tax purposes. Try logging in with your old credentials, and if that doesn't work, use their password reset function with the email you had on file when you worked there. If all else fails, you can request a wage and income transcript directly from the IRS after January 31st. You can do this online through IRS.gov if you can verify your identity, or by calling them (though expect long wait times). The transcript will have all the same information as your W-2. Don't stress too much - this is a common issue and there are several backup options available. Just start with the HR department first since that's usually the quickest solution.