When should I expect my W-2 to arrive after employer mailed it out on 1/17/25?

You should typically allow 5-7 business days for regular mail delivery after the stated mailing date. Since they mailed on 1/17/25, you should expect it by around January 27th at the latest. If you don't receive it by then, it would be reasonable to contact your previous employer. Keep in mind that employers are legally required to provide W-2s to employees (including former employees) by January 31st. If you don't receive it by early February, you can contact the IRS for assistance. They can reach out to your employer on your behalf. While waiting, you could also check if your previous employer uses a payroll service that might have an online portal where you could access your W-2 electronically, even as a former employee. Some companies don't realize their payroll providers offer this option.

I had the exact same issue last year trying to track down a W-2 from a job I left! I spent hours on the phone with HR and got nowhere. Then I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me figure out my next steps and what information I needed to gather. They scanned all my pay stubs and helped me recreate the missing information so I could file on time. Seriously saved me from pulling my hair out! They also told me exactly what to say when calling my old employer which made the whole process way less stressful. Might be worth checking out if your W-2 doesn't show up.

Just wanted to update - I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and it was incredibly helpful! My W-2 finally showed up yesterday (almost 3 weeks after my employer claimed to mail it), but in the meantime, taxr.ai helped me prepare everything else and gave me a really accurate estimate of what would be on the W-2 based on my last paystub. They even flagged that I might have had too much Social Security tax withheld from working multiple jobs last year, which I never would have caught on my own. Definitely recommend if you're in a similar situation!

If your W-2 doesn't show up soon and you need to get in touch with the IRS, good luck actually reaching someone! I spent 4+ hours on hold last year trying to get help with a missing W-2 situation. FINALLY found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual IRS agent in under 20 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Seriously, it's crazy that this service even needs to exist, but it saved me from wasting an entire day on hold. The IRS agent I spoke with was actually super helpful once I got through, and they contacted my old employer directly about the missing W-2.

Okay so I have to eat my words. After my skeptical comment I decided to try Claimyr when I couldn't get through to ask about my missing W-2 (spent 2 hours on hold yesterday before giving up). It actually worked and got me through to someone at the IRS in about 25 minutes. The agent confirmed they can help if I don't receive my W-2 by February 1st and explained exactly what information I'd need to provide. Honestly shocked that something actually worked as advertised when it comes to dealing with the IRS.

You might want to check with USPS if mail delivery is an ongoing issue in your area. My W-2 got lost last year and I had to request a duplicate. Just a heads up that if you do end up needing a replacement, some companies charge a fee (which is totally bogus but they do it anyway). My previous job wanted $15 for a "replacement processing fee" which seemed like a complete scam.

Just a tip - if you're really in a hurry to file, you can actually submit your taxes with a substitute W-2 form (Form 4852) if your employer hasn't provided your W-2 by the end of January. You'll need your last paystub to complete it accurately though. I had to do this last year and my refund wasn't delayed at all.