IRS Form W-2
Report an employee's yearly wages and the taxes withheld from their pay.
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About IRS Form W-2
Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, is how an employer reports an employee's annual wages and the federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare taxes withheld. Employers give a copy to each employee and file a copy with the Social Security Administration, and employees use it to prepare their own return.
This page is a general guide and a fillable helper, not tax advice. Always download and file the current official form from the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2 and confirm the fields match. The copy filed with the government is a scannable form, so follow the official filing instructions.
Who needs to complete it
- Employers who paid wages to one or more employees during the year.
- Businesses that withheld income, Social Security, or Medicare tax from employee pay.
- Any employer required to report wages to the Social Security Administration.
- Employees receive a W-2 from their employer to file their own tax return.
How to fill out IRS Form W-2
- 1Enter the employer's name, address, and employer identification number.
- 2Enter the employee's name, address, and Social Security number.
- 3Report total wages, tips, and other compensation in the wages box, and federal income tax withheld in its box.
- 4Enter Social Security wages and Social Security tax withheld in their boxes.
- 5Enter Medicare wages and Medicare tax withheld in their boxes.
- 6Complete the state and local boxes with wages and tax withheld for each state.
- 7Give copies to the employee and file the government copy by the deadline using the official scannable form and instructions.
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Frequently asked questions
When should I get my W-2?
Employers are required to furnish W-2s to employees by the IRS deadline early in the year. If you have not received yours, contact your employer. This is a general guide, not tax advice.
What is the difference between a W-2 and a 1099?
A W-2 reports wages for employees with taxes withheld. A 1099, such as the 1099-NEC, reports payments to nonemployees like contractors, who usually handle their own taxes.
Can I print a W-2 to file with the government?
The copy filed with the Social Security Administration must be the official scannable version. Follow the approved filing methods in the current instructions.
Is this the official IRS form?
This is a fillable helper for understanding the boxes. Always download and file the current official form from the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2 and confirm the fields match.