# How can I get W2s from years ago?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-w2s-from-years-ago/368385>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 12, 2006, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-w2s-from-years-ago/368385 "2006-08-12T01:48:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cicada\_Killer\_Wasp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Cicada\_Killer\_Wasp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicada_Killer_Wasp)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2006, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-w2s-from-years-ago/368385/1 "2006-08-12T01:48:12Z")

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I need to get copies of my W2s from 1999-2004. Where can I get them? does the IRS keep copies?

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**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2006, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-w2s-from-years-ago/368385/2 "2006-08-12T02:02:36Z")

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“You can get a copy of prior years W-2 information form [IRS.gov](http://IRS.gov) - Print Form 4506-T, Complete the form mark box# 8 and put the year ending in box #9.”

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**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2006, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-w2s-from-years-ago/368385/3 "2006-08-12T02:05:42Z")

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First try your previous employer’s HR department. If they still have them, they should be able to make copies for you pretty quickly.

If that doesn’t work out, you can write to the IRS and ask for copies of all W2’s which have been filed in your name.

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2006, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-w2s-from-years-ago/368385/4 "2006-08-12T03:46:15Z")

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What **freido** said is where I’d start. If it’s a small business, and they say they don’t have them, or don’t want to dig them out then ask who there accountant is or was at that time. There’s a good chance the accountant will have copies as well.

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**Author:** ![psychloan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4bbf92/32.png) [@psychloan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychloan)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2006, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-w2s-from-years-ago/368385/5 "2006-08-12T04:13:08Z")

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If you just need earnings information by employer, you may be able to get a printout from your local social security office.

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**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2006, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-w2s-from-years-ago/368385/6 "2006-08-12T10:02:07Z")

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Like everyone said, try the employer first.

If they don’t have it, call 1 800 829 1040 (the IRS), explain you lost it, and they can either fax it to you right then or mail it (which takes. . . FOREVER). If you prefer, you can also go down to your local IRS office and they will print it right out for ya.