Filing taxes has become a smoother and speedier process in recent years. You can now find Form W-2, the Wage and Tax Statement, online. This is easier than waiting for the form to be sent in the mail and eliminates the possibility of delivery delays. In the mail, a W2 can be lost, like anything else. This will not happen if you access it online.
You can access your Form W-2 online if your employer has made it available via the web.
If you are able to access it online, you will get the benefit of being able to file your taxes earlier, in addition to not waiting for paper copies.
How to Find Your W2 Online
Companies like TurboTax and H&R Block offer a service where you can search a database of over 90 million entries to find your W-2. All that you need is your employer’s name and their FEIN – Federal Employer Identification Number.
The tax filing company will then securely store the document until you are ready to file your taxes. Just remember that they require 2 forms of identification to release the documents to you for security reasons.
If you’re not sure if an employer participates, you should contact the payroll department and see if they do. This is important since the IRS does not have an online record of individuals’ W-2 information. Instead, the latest details come from your employer, such as earnings and withholdings.
You can also learn what W-2 program the company uses. If you can identify it, then the system can be accessed with the proper log-in credentials. Your Social Security number and other personal details will be needed to access the W-2. Instructions should be available on the site, so you can complete the process and get the form online instead of waiting for when your W2 is sent out in the mail.
Thanks to modern technology, it’s never been easier to get a head start on your taxes and get a faster refund. Search for your W-2 online.
