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Get your Form W-2

What the W-2 is, when your employer must give it to you, and how to get it today.

Employees3 min

What it is

The W-2 is your yearly wage and tax statement: your total pay and the tax taken from it. You need it to file your tax return.

When you get it

Your employer must give it to you by January 31 after the year ends. When January 31 falls on a weekend, the date moves to the next business day. For 2026 wages that is February 1, 2027. My pay stubs shows this date at the bottom of the page.

How to get it from the portal

Note. The employee portal shows when your W-2 will be ready. It does not have a W-2 download button yet. Your employer prepares your W-2 from Reports & forms, W-2 (per employee) and gives it to you. After the date above, ask your employer for it if you have not received it.
  1. Check My pay stubs for the date.
  2. After that date, ask your employer for your W-2 (paper or electronic copy).
  3. Check the totals against your last pay stub of the year: the year-to-date gross and taxes should match.

If something is wrong

Tell your employer right away. A corrected form (W-2c) can be issued.

What the law says

Employers must give each employee a Form W-2 by January 31 following the year, and file copies with the Social Security Administration by the same date (the next business day when it falls on a weekend or holiday).

Sources (government sites):