Check your former employer’s payroll or HR portal for a digital W-2
Contact your old employer’s payroll, HR, or accounting department
Ask the employer to mail or email a copy of your W-2
Verify your current mailing address with the former employer
Review any tax documents sent by the employer in January or February
Contact the payroll provider used by your old employer if you know it
Use the IRS “Get Transcript” service if you need wage information
Request a wage and income transcript from the IRS by mail or online
Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 if you cannot get it from the employer
File Form 4852 if you cannot obtain the W-2 before filing taxes
Keep records of your attempts to contact the employer
Check whether your state tax agency also has wage records available