When Do W2s Come Out? 2021, 2022 - National Tax Reports

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IRS Form W-2 Deadline and What It Means for Taxpayers

Employers are legally required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide employees with Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) by January 31 of the year following the tax year.

If January 31 falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the deadline automatically moves to the next business day.

This deadline applies whether the W-2 is sent by mail or made available through a secure online payroll portal.

When Employees Should Expect Their W-2

• Paper W-2s: Most employees receive mailed W-2 forms in late January or early February, depending on postal delivery times.
• Electronic W-2s: If you opted for electronic delivery, your W-2 may be available earlier than paper copies, sometimes in mid-January.

The W-2 is one of the most important tax documents because it reports:

• Total wages earned
• Federal income tax withheld
• Social Security and Medicare taxes
• State and local tax withholding (if applicable)

This information is required to accurately file your federal and state income tax returns.

What to Do If Your W-2 Is Missing

If you have not received your W-2 by mid-February, take the following steps:

Contact Your Employer: Reach out to your employer’s payroll or human resources department to:

• Confirm your mailing address or email access
• Ask whether the W-2 was sent or posted electronically

Contact the IRS: If you still have not received the W-2 by the end of February, you may contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for assistance.

Use a Substitute Form if Necessary: If the April filing deadline is approaching and the W-2 is still unavailable, you may file using Form 4852, a substitute for Form W-2. This allows you to estimate wages and withholding using your final pay stub.

Filing Deadlines Still Apply

Even if a W-2 is missing, you are still required to file your tax return by the April deadline. Filing Form 4868 gives you more time to file, but does not extend the time to pay any taxes owed.

Why Electronic Filing Is Strongly Recommended

Electronic filing (e-filing) is highly recommended because it:

• Automatically imports W-2 data when available
• Reduces math and transcription errors
• Flags missing or inconsistent information
• Speeds up IRS processing and refunds
• Makes it easier to update or correct a return if a late W-2 arrives

Using IRS-approved tax software or a professional e-file provider ensures your return is accurate, timely, and compliant—even when tax documents arrive late.

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