The IRS does not retain actual copies of Form W-2 (PDF) for prior years. However, the IRS maintains (and will provide free of charge) Instructions for Form W-2 and W-3 for Federal Tax Purposes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains (and will provide free of change) Form W-2 information for retirement purposes.

The IRS will also provide free transcripts of Form W-2 information for any purpose for the last ten processing years.

The Social Security Administration will provide copies of Forms W-2 for purposes other than retirement for a fee of $37.00 per tax year.

Call 1–800–829–1040 or obtain Form 4506 Request for Copy of Transcript or Tax Form to order the information from the IRS.

Call 1–800–772–1213, write, or visit the SSA web site at www.ssa.gov to obtain the information from the SSA. The address to write is SSA, Division of Earnings Records Operations, PO Box 33003, Baltimore, MD 21290–3003. You will need your name as shown on your Social Security card, and different name you may have had on your Form W-2, your complete mailing address, day-time phone number, years requested, and reason for your request. If ordering copies for non-retirement purposes, include the $37.00 fee.

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