When is an employer required to provide its employees with a W-2?

Employers are required to provide their employees with a W-2 form by January 31 of each year. This deadline is set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure that employees receive their wage and tax information in a timely manner, allowing them sufficient time to prepare and file their personal income tax returns by the April deadline. Providing the W-2 by January 31 helps promote compliance with tax regulations and supports employees in understanding their earnings and withholdings from the previous year. Meeting this obligation is crucial for employers to avoid penalties from the IRS and to facilitate a smooth tax filing process for their employees.