The IRS does not retain actual copies of Form W-2 (PDF) except as an attachment to your tax return, for prior years. However, the IRS maintains (and will provide free of charge) Form W-2 information for any purpose for the past ten processing years. The only way to get a copy of your Form W-2 from IRS is to order a copy of the entire return on Form 4506 (PDF), Request for Copy of Tax Return, and pay a fee of $39.00 per tax year.

The Social Security Administration will provide copies of Forms W-2 for retirement purposes at no charge and for other than retirement purposes for a fee of $37.00 per tax year.

Call 1–800–829–3676, or visit the IRS web site at www.irs.gov to obtain Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, or Form 4506-T (PDF), Request for Transcript of Tax Return, 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 Social Security Number (SSN), 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.