W-2 Form Articles
W-2 form articles on reading each box, requesting a copy and using your W-2 to file taxes.
Making Sense of Your W-2
Form W-2, the Wage and Tax Statement, is the annual summary of what an employer paid you and what it withheld. Employers must furnish it by January 31 and file a copy with the Social Security Administration, which is why an error on a W-2 affects more than just your tax return.
Start with the complete box-by-box guide, which also explains why Box 1 is usually lower than the year-to-date gross on your final stub. If the form has not arrived, getting a copy online and requesting one from a previous employer cover both routes. If the numbers are wrong, corrected W-2 forms and Form W-2c explains what to do before and after you file.
Reconciling a W-2 against your stubs is easier once you understand year-to-date totals. If some of your income was paid as a contractor instead, see 1099 Forms, and for the withholding rules themselves see Tax.
What Is a W-2 Form? A Complete Guide for Employees
Form W-2 reports your yearly wages and withholding. A box-by-box breakdown, why Box 1 differs from your final YTD gross and what to do if yours is wrong.
How to Get Your W-2 From a Previous Employer
When it should arrive, how to request a copy, what to do if the employer closed and how to file without it.
How to Get a Copy of Your W-2 Form Online
Get your W-2 through your payroll portal, your employer or the IRS. Step-by-step instructions, timelines and what to do if it never shows up.
Why Corrected W-2 Forms Matter (Form W-2c Explained)
A W-2c fixes errors on your original W-2. Why it matters for your Social Security record and taxes, and what to do before and after you file.