It’s cheaper than the IRS charge: “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. Use Form 4506-T (PDF), Request for Transcript of Tax Return, to request Form W-2 information. 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 $57.00 per tax year.” Employers (and former employers) take the position that it is up to the employee to keep their personal information updated. I agree that it is a bummer you have to pay. If you look at it from their point of view, though, there is a cost associated with pulling the records, making the copies, and then mailing it.