What are my available legal options against a former employer who is attempting to withhold my W2 form?

This employer is claiming that he mailed it and it was returned to sender and someone will have to come pick it up at his business. I know he has my proper current address because I haven't moved in over two yrs and he tried the exact same thing when mailing my last check. When I made it clear to him I would not be coming back to the business to collect the check and would contact the labor board if he did not mail it, it arrived promptly along with the original envelope that had clearly been purposely mis-addressed. Frankly I've had it with this mentally unstable freakshow and want to retaliate with every legal resource at my disposal. What can I do people?

consider going to the place of business to pick it up. otherwise if you haven't received the W2 by Feb 15, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. You may need to file a substitute W2, Form 4852.

It is illegal for him to withhold it. Even if it were returned for legitimate reason, but obviously they weren't he has to re send them. You can call the IRS 1800 number and speak to a Representative about this and they will get all over his a-s-s about this. I had to do this to a former landlord when he tried to with hold my certificate of rent paid.

Try going to a lawyer for a legal advisory.

You need to go pick it up. You are only hurting yourself.He has proof he attempted to mail it to you and it was returned. What proof do you have that the check was purposely addressed wrong?

You can waste your time calling the IRS just for them to call him and request the information when meanwhile it is your return that is on hold and nothing will happen to him other than a phone call. Remember he has proof it was returned to sender

ok, you really need to realize that by allowing him to make you this upset, you are only hurting yourself. Don't carry that unnecessary drama around with you. Take a couple of big guys with you and pick up your W2. And leave it at that, don't give the guy any satisfaction at all. Then file your taxes, get your refund and laugh all the way to the bank. He is so not worth the emotional trauma it will cause you. He knows he HAS to give you your W2, but if he has proof no matter the circumstance, that he attempted to mail it to you and it was returned then he can hang on to it until you pick it up claiming that you never contacted him with a valid address. If you still insist on not going there in person, send him a certified letter with your correct mailing address and make sure you have a delivery confirmation by signature form so that he has to sign for the letter proving that you did contact him if you end up in court. But seriously, you will end up emotionally scared, broke from having to pay your own legal fees because most judges will ask why you didn't just go pick it up, and on top of that, he will get the statisfaction of putting you through all of that mess. It's not worth it. Please just go pick it up, for you.