# tracking down W2 **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 20, 2001, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracking-down-w2/94414 "2001-11-20T16:06:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracking-down-w2/94414/1 "2001-11-20T16:06:19Z")
How do I go about getting copies of my 1999 W2 forms? What if one of the companies I worked for in 1999 does not exist any more? ---
**Author:** ![Perderabo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracking-down-w2/94414/2 "2001-11-20T17:05:18Z")
That’s easy…just ask your accountant for a copy! 😃 (Well, I thought it was funny…) Seriously, the IRS has a FAQ on this subject…it’s at [this page](http://www.irs.gov/tax_edu/faq/faq1-15.html). They say > [@](#): > > If you are not able to obtain a copy from your employer, there are two options for assistance from the IRS. You can request a transcript of the W-2, which is a line-by-line computer printed facsimile of the form filed by the employer with the Social Security Administration, or you can request a photocopy from the service center using Form 4506, Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Return. IRS transcripts of the three most recent tax years are generally available nine months after the tax year. Call for assistance at 800-829-1040 or visit an IRS walk-in office. The response time is about 10 days. Photocopy requests can take up to 45 days. Copies of Forms W-2 and tax returns are generally available for the prior six years. Both transcripts and photocopies of Forms W-2 are free of charge.