What is a W-2?
A W-2 is the form your employer gives you if you are on payroll. It shows how much you earned last year and how much tax was already taken out of your paychecks.
The boxes that matter most
| Box | What it shows | Plain English |
|---|---|---|
| Box 1 | Wages, tips, other compensation | Your taxable pay for federal tax |
| Box 2 | Federal income tax withheld | Federal tax already paid for you |
| Box 4 & 6 | Social Security and Medicare tax | Taxes for your future benefits |
| Box 12 | Codes (like D for 401(k)) | Retirement savings and benefits |
| Box 16–19 | State and local wages and tax | New York State and NYC tax already paid |
Source: IRS: About Form W-2
Reading a W-2
Priya works as a cashier at a grocery store on Liberty Avenue. Her W-2 shows $38,000 in Box 1 and $2,100 in Box 2. That means she earned $38,000 and her employer already sent $2,100 of federal tax to the IRS for her. Her return uses both numbers.
- Employers must send W-2s by January 31.
- If you had two jobs, you get two W-2s. Both go on your return.
- Wrong name, SSN or amount? Ask your employer for a corrected W-2 (a W-2c) before you file.
Source: IRS: About Form W-2
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Frequently asked
What if I never got my W-2?
Ask your employer first. If it still doesn’t arrive, the IRS can help, and an IRS wage and income transcript shows what your employer reported.
Do I attach my W-2 when I e-file?
No. The numbers are typed into your return. Keep the paper W-2 with your records.
Source: IRS: About Form W-2
Figures and rules on this page come from the official and published sources linked above, as of November 2026. People and numbers in the examples are made up to explain the idea. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice for your situation, and laws change; check the linked source or ask a licensed CPA before you act.
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