Contact your former employer’s payroll or HR department
Ask for a copy of your W-2 for the specific tax year
Check your former employer’s employee self-service portal if available
Log in to any payroll provider used by the employer, such as ADP, Workday, or Paychex
Review your personal tax records for a saved digital or paper copy
Contact the IRS if you cannot get it from the employer
Use IRS Form 4506-T to request a wage and income transcript
File IRS Form 4852 if you need a substitute for a missing W-2 when filing taxes
Verify your mailing address with the former employer if the W-2 was sent to the wrong address
Keep a record of all requests and responses
Follow up if you do not receive the W-2 within a reasonable time