When should your employer send you a W-2?

January 31
To insure you have it in time, the IRS requires your employer to send you a W-2 no later than January 31 following the close of the tax year, which is usually December 31. You should only receive a W-2 if you are an employee.

Jan. 31
The IRS requires employers to furnish W-2s to the government and employees by Jan. 31 or face penalties. The IRS generally defines furnish as “get it in the mail,” which means you should have yours in hand by the first week of February. Employers can also send employees their W-2s electronically, but it’s not required.

What do employers need to know about Form W-2?

Form W-2 Employers must complete, file electronically or by mail with the Social Security Administration (SSA), and furnish to their employees Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement PDF showing the wages paid and taxes withheld for the year for each employee.

When do I need to Mail my W-2 to my former employee?

You’ll meet the furnish requirement if the form is properly addressed and mailed on or before the due date. If an employee stops working for you before the end of the year, you may give your former employee Form W-2 any time prior to, but no later than February 1, 2021.

When do I need to file Form W-2 with the SSA?

Terminating a business. If you terminate your business, you must provide Forms W-2 to your employees for the calendar year of termination by the due date of your final Form 941, 944, or 941-SS. You must also file Forms W-2 with the SSA by the due date of your final Form 941, 944, or 941-SS.

What happens if you don’t get a W-2?

If you never received a W-2 when you were supposed to, your employer should still have a copy of your W-2 for the year in question up to six years prior. Some W-2’s end up coming back as “undeliverable”, and the IRS requires these W-2’s to be kept for a six-year minimum. The six years should start after the initial delivery date.