Go Online

• If the company you work for has an Intranet, your W-2 form may be as close as your computer. Simply log on to the site you use to view your weekly pay stubs, direct deposit allocation and other information. Look for a tab that says W-2 or tax forms, then click that link to bring up a copy of your form. If the form is available online, you can review the information for accuracy, then print the document and use it to prepare your tax return.
  
  

Wait Until February 15

• Companies are required to have their W-2 forms in the mail by January 31. If you have not yet received your W-2 form, it could simply be a case of slow mail or a delay at the post office. You should wait until February 15 before taking action and assuming that your W-2 form is lost. After that date, you can take action to track down your lost W-2 and prepare your tax return.
  
  

Contact Your Employer

• If you do not receive your W-2 form by early February, you should first contact your employer. If you still work for the company, contact the human resources department and ask when the forms were mailed. If you are missing a W-2 from a former employer, contact that company to ask about your missing form.
  
  

Contact the IRS

• If February 15 comes and goes with no sign of your W-2, you should contact the IRS to report non-receipt. Contact the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040 and let the representative know that you have not yet received the W-2. You will need to provide your full name and Social Security number, as well as the name and address of your employer. If you know the employer identification number of your employer you should include that as well.
  
  

Tax Planning

• You can do some advance tax planing while you are waiting for your W-2 to arrive. If you have your final pay stub of the year, you already have the information you need to prepare your tax return. Simply start your tax return using a tax preparation software package. Enter the amount of your annual gross wages and tax withholding from your pay stub, in addition to any other income forthe year. Once you enter that information, you can see the amount of your projected tax refund, or additional tax liability.