Why do you need to get a W-2 from your previous employer? If you changed jobs in the past year, you must have a W-2, also called a Wage and Tax Statement, from your previous employer to file your taxes. You use this form to find out how much taxes you owe or if you can expect a tax refund.

What happens if my old employer doesn’t send W-2?

Form 4852. The IRS will send your boss a special form noting that you did not receive your W-2. If, even after nudging from the IRS, your employer doesn’t send you a replacement W-2 in time for you to file your tax return, you may file using Form 4852 in place of your missing wage statement.

Where can I Find my W-2 form for 2015?

2015 Form W-2 Attention: You may file Forms W-2 and W-3 electronically on the SSA’s Employer W-2 Filing Instructions and Information web page, which is also accessible at You can create fill-in versions of Forms W-2 and W-3 for filing with SSA.

When to give W-2’s to employees in January?

The January filing deadline with the SSA is an attempt to curb tax fraud, but it means that you should give W-2 forms to employees earlier in January, so they have an opportunity to look them over and find errors.

Is it illegal for employers to ask for W-2 forms?

In the current economy, the hiring process and salary negotiations are already slanted toward employers and against employees. This makes a new trend among employers to require potential hires to provide previous W-2 forms – sometimes years’ worth of them – particularly worrying. But is it illegal?

When to use the correct W-2 tax form?

Make sure you are using the correct W-2 form. Use the form dated for the tax year, not the year you are preparing the form. For example, if you are preparing W-2s in January 2021 for the 2020 tax year, use the form dated 2020.