How Do You Get Your W-2 Online?

May. 22, 2018

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Tax season is quickly approaching, and the sooner you get your information in order, the better. The first thing to do is to get your W-2. A W-2 form is a statement of annual earnings and taxes withheld.
Your employer and the IRS use this to track your wages. It determines how much your return or due amount is at the end of the fiscal year. Some people wait to get these in the mail, but there are much faster ways to access a W-2 online. Here are a few methods to try.

Also read: Do You Need Multiple W2 Forms From The Same Employer?

1. Go Through Your Employer

You know the employee website you created an account for when you got hired? It holds more than training documents and explanations for benefit packages. It tracks your earnings, and is the most direct way to get your W-2 online.
Every employer's navigation is a bit different, but typically, the process is a little like this:

Sign into your account
Find the Human Resources or Payments page
Look for Personal Documents, Wage Information, or Tax Forms
Make sure you're viewing forms/numbers for the current year
Download and print your W-2

If you're having trouble finding what you need, ask a coworker how they accessed theirs. The process should take less than a few minutes, and it's better to ask than to waste more time looking on your own.

Click Here to Create Your Form W-2 in Less Than 2 Minutes

Also read: The Complete Checklist To Prepare For The W2 Form Deadline

2. Try Third-Party Sites

Another way to access your W-2 online is with the help of reputable online tax services like TurboTax and H&R Block. These websites have search features that enable you to find your W-2 without hassle, and with full security.
Plus, they are built to ease every step of the tax filing process. You can find your W-2, fill out all your statements, and track your possible return along the way. Each service has their own price point and service method, though. Consider the pros and cons before choosing one of the many tax preparation systems available online.

3. Calculate Your Wages

If you still can't find your W-2 online, or if you forgot it at home when you went to meet with your tax preparer, you can calculate your wages. The easiest way to do this is with the information on your final pay stub of the year.
This will have all the information from your current earning period, and all your earnings since January. Take your time looking at all the information, and remember you might have some adjustments to do.
If you have a 401K or insurance premiums, for example, these need to be subtracted from gross taxable wages. It might seem like you're getting less of a return than you should, but remember, this money is already invested in you in other ways.

Also read: Here’s How to Change Your W2 Wage

Accessing a Past Job's W-2 Online

Don't forget to gather all of your different W-2s if you went through a few jobs this year. Everything has to be added up to calculate the most accurate return and keep you in good standing with the IRS.
You can follow one of the steps above to access each W-2 online or reach out to your old employer directly. Here's how to request a W-2 from a previous employer, or you can just generate one here! It's worth mentioning too that you can generate your own payslip with our professional paystub creator!

1. Enter Your Information
2. Select Your Favorite Theme
3. Download Your Stub!

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Frequently Asked Questions

It is not recommended to file your taxes without a W-2 form. However, if you cannot obtain your W-2, you can use Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, to estimate your income and withholding.

Yes, many tax software programs allow you to import your W-2 information directly from your employer's payroll service or the IRS's "Get Transcript" service, making it easier to file your taxes.

You can obtain your W-2 form online by registering with your employer's payroll service website or the IRS's "Get Transcript" service. You may also receive an electronic W-2 from your employer via email.

Accessing your W-2 form online is generally safe, as long as you use a secure connection, reputable payroll service, or the IRS's "Get Transcript" service. Always protect your personal information.

Yes, employers are required to provide W-2 forms to their employees by January 31st each year. If you haven't received your W-2 by this date, contact your employer or payroll service.

If you have multiple W-2 forms, you need to input the information from each one separately when filing your tax return. Combine the income and taxes from all forms to report your total income.

If you lost your W-2 form or never received it, contact your employer or payroll service to request a new copy. You can also access your W-2 form online through your employer's payroll service or the IRS's "Get Transcript" service.

A W-2 form is an annual statement provided by your employer, containing information about your wages, tips, and tax withholdings. It is used to file your federal and state income tax returns.

If you find an error on your W-2 form, contact your employer or payroll service immediately to request a corrected W-2. Do not file your taxes until you receive the corrected form.

Your W-2 form contains essential information needed for filing your tax return, such as taxable income, federal and state withholdings, and Social Security and Medicare taxes.

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