What date must my company issue forms W-2 by?

Employers must give or mail employees' copies B, C and 2 of Form W-2 on or before January 31st of the following calendar year. A W-2 must be issued if there was any withholding or wages that exceeds the amount of one exemption ($3,700 in year 2011) or to any employee you paid more than $600 in one year or to any person you paid an amount for services if your entity is a trade or business. An employer may be subject to penalties for noncompliance.