Need copies of your W-2 or tax transcripts?

Social Security Administration can give you copies or printouts of your Forms W-2 for any year from 1978 to the present. You can get free copies if you need them for a Social Security-related reason.

But there is a fee of $81 per request if you need them for an unrelated reason. You can also get a transcript or copy of your Form W-2 from the Internal Revenue Service.

However, state, and local tax information isn’t available if you e-filed your tax return.

Some examples of non-Social Security program purposes are:

Filing federal or state tax returns
Providing income information for workers’ compensation
Establishing residency
Establishing entitlement to private pension benefits

If you do not give a reason, Social Security will assume you need the forms for non-program purposes.

When you write to them, be sure to include:

Your Social Security Number
The exact name shown on your Social Security card
Any different names shown on your W-2
Your complete mailing address
The year(s) for which you need copies
Your daytime telephone numbers
The reason for your request

Mail your request with a check or money order payable to the Social Security Administration. Please include your Social Security number on the check or money order. You also can pay with a credit card by completing Form-714. Regular credit card rules apply.

You can send your request to: Social Security Administration
Office of Central Operations
Office of Earnings and International Operations
Division of Earnings and Business Services
P.O. Box 33003
Baltimore, MD 21290-3003

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