Contact your former employer’s payroll or HR department
Request a copy of the specific tax year W-2
Check your online payroll or employee portal
Contact the payroll provider used by your employer
Request a wage and income transcript from the IRS
Use IRS Form 4506-T to request tax records
Check your prior year tax return records if you saved copies
Contact your state tax agency if needed for state wage records
Ask the Social Security Administration for earnings information
Hire a tax professional if you need help locating it