I have a question about my prior-year W-2. I need to file a prior-year state return, but I lost W-2 Forms from last year. What should I do?

If you lost your W-2, contact your employer to get a duplicate prior-year W-2 or look on your employer’s website for a digital copy of a lost W-2.

What if Your Employer Can’t Give You Your Lost W-2 Form?

If your employer can’t give you your lost W-2 Forms, you can get a copy of your Form W-2 from the Social Security Administration for a fee.

You can also contact the IRS by requesting a wage and income transcript directly from the IRS (you will not get state and local information) State and local information is not included on the W-2 that is requested through the wage and income transcript. See Form 4506-T Instructions. You will need to know the amount of taxes withheld for state purposes.

How to Get More Guidance With Lost W-2 Forms

While your employer will have a duplicate of your lost W-2 forms, you can also get the assistance of a tax pro at H&R Block to help walk you through the process. Find a tax office nearest you now.