Taxes / Plain-English guide

Missing a W-2 or 1099? Check the IRS Wage and Income Transcript

Learn what third-party income information may appear in an IRS transcript and what it cannot replace.

A wage and income transcript can show information returns reported to the IRS, such as certain W-2 and 1099 data. Availability timing varies, and a transcript may not contain every detail needed to file correctly.

What is happening underneath

The transcript is a record of what third parties reported. It is not a complete substitute for every original form, deduction record, or fact about your return.

Find thisIRS wage and income transcript
Then thisOriginal forms you already received
Do not missYour own payment and deduction records

Your three moves

  1. Request the appropriate transcript from IRS.gov.
  2. Compare it with your records.
  3. Contact the issuer about missing or incorrect information.
Use this sentence
“Please confirm what information return you filed under my taxpayer identification number and send me a corrected copy if needed.”

What to watch for

Do not wait for a transcript without checking the current filing deadline and extension or payment rules.

Official starting points

Rules, programs, and deadlines can change. Start with the current official pages below and the documents in front of you.