Form W-2 and Form 1099 guide for employees

What to expect

Your employer is required to provide you with a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. If applicable, they are also required to provide a Form 1099-NEC (nonemployee compensation); for example, if you completed work as an independent contractor. If your employer does not provide online access to your W-2, they must mail or hand-deliver your documents to you no later than Jan. 31. If you are not sure if you have online access, please check with your company’s HR or payroll department. Only your employer can give you online access.

Access your W-2 online

How do I access my ADP W-2?
If your employer has given you online access to access your pay information, log in to signin.adp.com. Note: Not all companies use our online portal, so if you are unable to log in, please contact your employer directly to ask about your W-2.

If you’re having trouble logging in, visit the ADP Login Help page.

What if the information on my W-2 is wrong?
If there’s an error on your W-2, please ask your employer’s payroll or HR contact for help. They are the only ones who can make changes to your W-2.

How do I access my W-2 from a previous employer?
If you have previously logged in to the ADP portal to get your pay stub or W-2 from your former employer, you can try and access your information. If you are unable to log in, your former employer may have removed your online account. Please contact your former company’s HR or payroll department to request a copy of your W-2. ADP cannot provide you with your W-2. We’d like to help, but only your employer or former employer can assist you with your W-2.

If you are unable to contact your former employer or are having difficulty getting your W-2, visit the IRS website or call 800-829-1040.

How to keep your W-2 secure

• Passwords: We suggest using a unique, strong password for each of your accounts that contain sensitive information, including your ADP account, your benefits, payroll and bank accounts and any other sensitive accounts that may include tax information. Please remember to keep your passwords private and use different passwords for each of your accounts.
• Check the mail: If your W-2 is mailed to you, it’s a good idea to ensure your mailbox is secure (with lighting and video doorbells, for example) and that you check your mail frequently.
• Send securely: One of the safest ways to transfer your documents is in person, as this allows you to directly verify what you’re sharing and who is receiving it, with no intermediaries between you and your tax preparer; however, if you need to transfer your documents electronically, here are a few things to keep in mind:
  • It’s best to avoid sending your W-2 or other sensitive documents through email.
  • If you need to send your files digitally, encrypt them using an online encryption tool and verbally provide your tax preparer with the encryption key instead of using emailing.
  • Share your files using an encrypted file sharing service.
• Storage: Only keep tax documents for as long as you are legally required to. If you are storing physical W-2s, consider using a fireproof safe or a bank’s safe deposit box for added protection. For digital storage, make sure your online account is secured with a strong, unique password, and enable two-factor authentication.
• Proper disposal: When it’s time to dispose of tax or financial documents, it’s important to shred and dispose of them to help protect any sensitive information. For digital files, be sure to permanently delete them from your Recycle Bin and your laptop to ensure they’re no longer accessible.
• For more information about preventing tax fraud and identity theft, visit www.adp.com/trust.

FAQs

What if I haven’t received my W-2 or 1099?
If you have not received your Form W-2 or Form 1099, please contact your employer or former employer to learn if and when the W-2 was sent. If it was mailed, it may have been returned to your employer because of an incorrect or incomplete address. If you do not receive your W-2 by Feb. 15, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040. We appreciate your understanding, but we recommend not reaching out to ADP, as we’re unable to assist with W-2 and 1099 requests. 

I received nonemployee compensation but didn’t get a 1099. Why not?
Companies typically only send 1099 documents when payments exceed $600 per year. If you have not received Form 1099 and believe you should have, please contact the company to whom you provided services to learn if and when it was sent.

My Form W-2 or 1099 information is incorrect. Who do I contact?
If your Form W-2 or 1099 information is incorrect, please contact your employer or former employer to make the change. Examples of wrong information could be an incorrect Social Security number (SSN), incorrect name or incorrect wages. If your attempts to have a Form W-2 corrected by your employer are unsuccessful and it is after Feb. 15, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040.

I need a W-2 or 1099 from an employer who has gone out of business. What do I do?
If your former employer is no longer in business, they are still obligated to provide you with a W-2. If you still do not receive your W-2 by Feb. 15, you can contact the IRS online or call 800-829-1040.

If you call the IRS after Feb. 15, it will be helpful to have your last pay stub available, which should include your employer’s Employer Identification Number (EIN).

I have been unsuccessful in getting my W-2 or 1099. What do I do?
The IRS provides a substitute form, called Form 4852, to use in such situations.

My mailing address has changed. What do I do?
If your mailing address has changed, your W-2 or 1099 may have been returned to your employer. Please contact your employer or former employer’s HR or payroll department if you believe this may have happened. If you do not receive your W-2 by Feb. 15, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

Why can’t ADP assist me with my request?
We’d like to help, but only your employer or former employer can assist you with your W-2, including providing you with a copy of your W-2 or making any changes to it.

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