Ah, the quest for an old W-2! It's a common dilemma, whether you're trying to amend a past return, apply for a loan, or simply organize your financial history. While TurboTax is an amazing tool for preparing and filing your taxes, there's a crucial misconception to clear up right from the start: TurboTax does NOT store copies of your actual W-2 forms.
"Wait, what?!" you might be thinking. Yes, it's true. TurboTax facilitates the entry of your W-2 information into your tax return, and it saves your completed tax return (which includes the W-2 data you entered), but it does not keep a digital image or file of the physical W-2 document itself. This is important to understand as we embark on this step-by-step journey to find that elusive old W-2!
So, if TurboTax doesn't have it, where do you look? Don't worry, there are several avenues to explore, and we'll walk through each one.
The Great W-2 Hunt: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Engage Your Inner Detective: The First Place to Look (Your Own Records!)**
Before we go diving into online portals or contacting government agencies, let's start with the most obvious (and often overlooked) place: your own records!
Sub-heading: The Digital Dig
Did you download and save a PDF copy of your completed tax return after filing with TurboTax? Many people do, and this is typically the easiest way to access the W-2 information. Your tax return PDF will contain all the data you entered, including the figures from your W-2s, even if it's not the original scanned image. Check your computer's "Downloads" folder, a "Taxes" folder you might have created, or any cloud storage you use (like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive).
Search your email! Sometimes, employers send W-2s digitally, or send links to portals where you can download them. Search your inboxes (and spam folders!) for emails from your former employer, payroll provider (e.g., ADP, Paychex), or even the year in question ("W-2 2022," "tax document 2023").
Sub-heading: The Physical File Cabinet (or Shoebox!)
Believe it or not, paper still exists! Did you print out your tax return or receive a physical copy of your W-2 in the mail? Check any physical filing systems you maintain for tax documents. This could be a dedicated tax folder, a file cabinet, or even that "important papers" box you have tucked away.
Step 2: Accessing Your Prior Year Tax Returns on TurboTax
While TurboTax won't have your original W-2, it will have the tax return you filed, which contains all the W-2 information you entered. This is incredibly useful!
Sub-heading: Online TurboTax Users
Sign In to Your TurboTax Account: Go to
myturbotax.intuit.com Navigate to "Your Tax Returns & Documents": Once logged in, you should see a section titled "Your tax returns & documents." You might need to scroll down a bit to find it.
Select the Desired Tax Year: Click on the specific tax year you need. TurboTax typically stores returns for up to seven prior years.
Download/Print Return (PDF): Look for an option like "Download/print return (PDF)." Clicking this will generate a PDF copy of your entire tax return for that year.
Locate W-2 Information: Open the downloaded PDF. You'll find a summary of your W-2 wages and withholdings within the forms, usually on Form 1040. While it won't be the original W-2 image, all the relevant numbers you need (Box 1 wages, Box 2 federal income tax withheld, etc.) will be there.
Sub-heading: TurboTax Desktop (CD/Download) Users
If you used the TurboTax Desktop software (CD/downloaded program) rather than the online version, your tax files are stored directly on the computer you used to prepare the return.
Locate Your .tax File: The tax file will have a
.taxextension (e.g.,MyTaxes2022.tax). You would have saved this file to a location on your computer. Search your computer's hard drive for files with this extension.Open the File with the Correct Year's Software: To view or print this return, you'll need the same year's TurboTax software installed on your computer. For example, to open a 2022 tax file, you need the 2022 TurboTax Desktop software. If you no longer have it, you might be able to purchase and download previous years' software from the TurboTax website.
Step 3: Contacting Your Employer (The Most Direct Route!)
This is often the fastest and most effective way to get an actual copy of your W-2.
Sub-heading: Reach Out to Payroll or HR
Contact your former employer's payroll or human resources department. They are legally required to provide you with a W-2 for any year you worked for them and met the income thresholds.
Be prepared to provide: Your full name, Social Security Number, the last four digits of your SSN, the year(s) you need the W-2 for, and your current mailing address.
Many employers now use online payroll portals where you can access and download your past W-2s directly. Ask if they have such a portal and how to access it.
Step 4: Obtaining Transcripts from the IRS (Free!)
The IRS keeps records of the income information reported to them, including W-2 data. You can get a "Wage and Income Transcript" for free. This transcript will list all the information from your W-2s (and 1099s, etc.) that the IRS received.
Sub-heading: Using the IRS Get Transcript Online Tool
Visit the IRS Website: Go to the official IRS "Get Transcript" page:
www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript Choose Your Method: You'll have two options:
Get Transcript Online: This is the quickest method if you can successfully verify your identity. You'll need to provide personal information, including your Social Security Number, date of birth, filing status, and address from your last tax return. You'll also need a financial account number (like a credit card, mortgage, or auto loan) or a mobile phone associated with your name for multi-factor authentication.
Get Transcript by Mail: If you can't verify online, you can request a transcript be mailed to you. It typically takes 5 to 10 calendar days to arrive.
Select "Wage and Income Transcript": Once you've successfully logged in or made your request, choose "Wage and Income Transcript" and specify the tax year you need.
Review the Transcript: The transcript will show the data from your W-2s, but not the physical form itself. It's often sufficient for most purposes, as it contains all the numerical information.
Sub-heading: Using Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return)
If you prefer to request by mail or fax, you can use IRS Form 4506-T. This form allows you to request various types of transcripts, including the Wage and Income Transcript.
You can download Form 4506-T from the IRS website, fill it out, and mail or fax it to the appropriate IRS address listed in the instructions.
Step 5: Ordering a Copy of Your Tax Return from the IRS (For a Fee)
If you need an actual copy of your filed tax return, including any W-2s that were attached to it (which is more common for paper-filed returns), you can request it directly from the IRS.
Sub-heading: Using Form 4506 (Request for Copy of Tax Return)
Download Form 4506: Go to the IRS website and search for Form 4506.
Fill Out and Mail: Complete the form, indicating the tax year(s) you need. There is a fee for each copy requested, and you'll need to include payment. Processing can take up to 75 calendar days.
Important Note: This method is primarily for getting a copy of your entire tax return. If you e-filed and didn't attach your W-2, the W-2 itself won't be on this copy, but the data will be.
Step 6: Contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA) (For a Fee)
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also receives copies of W-2 forms from employers. You can request a copy of your W-2 from them, but it typically comes with a fee and can take some time.
Sub-heading: Requesting from the SSA
Visit the SSA website or call them directly. This is generally considered a last resort due to the fee and potential processing time, but it's an option if other avenues fail.
Important Considerations and Tips:
User IDs and Passwords: Always ensure you're using the correct User ID and password for the specific TurboTax account under which you filed the return. Many people create multiple accounts over the years, leading to confusion.
Time Limits: TurboTax generally stores your online returns for up to seven years. The IRS can provide transcripts for up to 10 years, and copies of returns for up to seven years (though they may destroy older ones). Employers are typically required to keep records for a certain number of years as well.
Save Everything: Moving forward, make it a habit to save a PDF copy of your completed tax return (and any underlying documents like W-2s) to your computer and a secure cloud storage solution every year after filing. Print a physical copy as well for your records. This will save you immense hassle in the future!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find my TurboTax login if I forgot it?
You can use the "Forgot User ID" or "Forgot Password" links on the TurboTax sign-in page (
How to retrieve a W-2 if my employer went out of business?
If your employer is no longer operating, your best bet is to request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS (via their Get Transcript online tool or Form 4506-T) or contact the Social Security Administration.
How to get a W-2 if I moved and my old employer sent it to the wrong address?
Contact your former employer's payroll or HR department and provide them with your current mailing address. They should be able to re-issue the W-2 or provide access to an online portal.
How to find my prior year AGI on TurboTax?
Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for previous years can be found on Line 11 of your IRS Form 1040 within the PDF copy of your filed tax return, accessible through your TurboTax account.
How to import a W-2 into TurboTax for a current year?
For the current tax year, TurboTax often offers an option to import your W-2 directly from your employer if they participate in the W-2 import program. Look for the "Import my W-2" or "Find my W-2" option when you're entering your income.
How to get tax transcripts for free from the IRS?
You can get free tax transcripts, including Wage and Income Transcripts, from the IRS using their "Get Transcript Online" tool on their website (
How to get a copy of my full tax return from the IRS?
You can request a complete copy of your tax return, including all forms and schedules, from the IRS by submitting Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return. Note that there is a fee for this service.
How to contact the Social Security Administration for W-2s?
You can visit the Social Security Administration's website (SSA.gov) or call them directly at 1-800-772-1213 to inquire about obtaining copies of your past W-2 information.
How to deal with multiple TurboTax accounts?
If you suspect you have multiple TurboTax accounts, try logging in with different email addresses or user IDs you might have used. TurboTax has tools on their support site to help you consolidate or recover access to all your accounts.
How to save my tax documents properly each year to avoid this issue in the future?
After filing your taxes each year, download and save a PDF copy of your entire completed tax return to at least two locations (e.g., your computer's hard drive and a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox). Also, save digital copies of your W-2s, 1099s, and any other relevant tax documents. Consider printing a physical copy for a secure home file.