Millions of workers scramble each year to obtain their W-2 forms in time for the tax deadline. Your W-2 is probably waiting for you on a digital HR portal rather than in the mail if you work as a contractor, full-time hourly employee, or part-time retail employee.
This tutorial explains how to safely and methodically access your W-2 online using ADP, Workday, Ceridian Dayforce, and CompassMobile.

What a W-2 Is and Why It Is Important
An annual tax document from your employer, a W-2 form (Wage and Tax Statement), details your:
➤ Total earnings

➤ Withheld federal and state taxes

➤ Contributions to Social Security and Medicare

➤ Employer Identification Number (EIN)
W-2s must be sent by employers by January 31st of the subsequent year.

IRS Source: Regarding Form W-2

How to Locate Your W-2 Online (Platform Examples)

Nowadays, the majority of businesses provide cloud-based ESS access for tax records. The following is how various employers provide W-2s:

Employer: Dollar Tree
Portal: CompassMobile ESS Portal
Link: dollar tree compass desktop

Employer: Walmart
Portal: Workday via One.Walmart.com
Link: WalmartOne ESS

Employer: Target
Portal: Workday Employee Portal
Link: Internal Access (via store device or secure VPN)

Employer: Amazon
Portal: A to Z Employee Portal
Link: Amazon A to Z

Employer: General Use
Portal: ADP Workforce Now, Ceridian Dayforce, Oracle HCM
Link: Varies by employer

How to Safely Log in and Get Your W-2
Regardless of your platform, take these actions:
Step 1: Go to the official ESS Portal

➤ Use the mobile app or link that the company provides (such as Workday or ADP)

➤ Steer clear of third-party websites

Step 2: Log in using MFA

➤ Enter your login information

➤ If available, enable 2FA or biometric login.

Step 3: Select the "Pay" or "Documents" section.
Search for:

➤ "My Documents"

➤ "Tax Forms"

➤ "Year-End Tax Statements."

Step 4: Pick the Right Year

➤ If applicable, pick 2023 or 2024.

Step 5: Print or Download
➤ Confirm your SSN, wage information, and tax withholdings

➤ Print a copy for your records and save a digital copy.

According to PwC (2023), 79% of workers currently access tax documents via mobile ESS, which can save up to 40% on printing expenses and HR workload.

Typical Problems and Solutions

Problem: Can’t find W-2 in portal
Likely Cause: Portal hasn't released it yet
Solution: Wait until Feb 1, or check employer announcement

Problem: Password not working
Likely Cause: Expired or incorrect credentials
Solution: Use “Forgot Password” or contact HR tech support

Problem: Info on W-2 is incorrect
Likely Cause: Payroll or HR error
Solution: Submit a W-2 correction form (Form W-2c) via HR

Problem: Portal access is blocked
Likely Cause: Terminated employees may lose access
Solution: Request via mailed copy or reactivated login window

IRS W-2 Correction Guidelines (W-2c)
Deadlines and Penalties for Late Filing
➤ IRS Deadline (unless extended): April 15, 2024
➤ Penalty: 100% of overdue taxes or $435, whichever is less
➤ W-2 missing by February 15th? Contact the IRS or submit Form 4852

IRS Guide to Form 4852 and Missing W-2s
How Employers Secure W-2 Access Because W-2s include sensitive personal information (such as addresses, wages, and SSNs), businesses take significant security precautions.
Security Best Practices:

➤ Role-based access control

➤ MFA and biometric logins

➤ SOC 2/ISO 27001-compliant data retention policies

➤ SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit

Ponemon Institute: phishing targeting or inadequate access controls were responsible for 48% of payroll breaches. Portals for W-2

What Happens If You Leave the Company?
If you used to work there:
➤ Make sure your address on file is correct

➤ If the portal is closed, contact the payroll vendor (e.g., ADP, Workday)

to request reactivation or a mailed W-2 from your HR department.
Regardless of your employment status, employers are legally required to provide W-2s by January 31.
Last W-2 Access Checklist Task Portal or Instrument

Task: Log into official ESS or payroll portal
Portal or Tool: ADP, CompassMobile, A to Z, Workday

Task: Verify tax year and download PDF
Portal or Tool: Under “Tax Forms” or “My Documents” tab

Task: Report issues with info or login
Portal or Tool: Contact HR/payroll team or submit W-2c request

Task: Backup digital and print versions
Portal or Tool: Cloud storage and physical folder

Task: File before IRS deadline
Portal or Tool: April 15 (or file extension via Form 4868)

New to retail? Start here.
Learn how to use your HR tools like a pro.

Act Immediately
Avoid the stress of tax season. Verify your W-2, log into your ESS portal, and file with assurance.

To obtain your tax documents quickly and safely, use reliable platforms like Workday, ADP Mobile, or CompassMobile.DollarTree.com.