The IRS W-2 form is a crucial document that reports an employee's annual wages and the taxes withheld from their paycheck. Employers are required to provide this form to their employees by the end of January each year, ensuring that individuals have the necessary information to file their income tax returns accurately. Understanding the W-2 form is essential for navigating your tax obligations effectively; take the first step by filling out the form below.
Fill out your W-2 form now!
The IRS W-2 form, officially known as the Wage and Tax Statement, is a document that employers in the United States are required to provide to their employees. It reports an employee's annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld from their paychecks. Each year, employers must send out W-2 forms to their employees by January 31st, allowing individuals to accurately file their income tax returns.
Any employee who has earned wages during the tax year should receive a W-2 form from their employer. This includes full-time, part-time, and temporary employees. If you worked for multiple employers during the year, you will receive a separate W-2 from each one. Additionally, if you received any tips or other compensation, those amounts will also be reported on your W-2.
A W-2 form contains several important pieces of information:
This information is crucial for filing your tax return accurately and ensuring that you receive any potential refunds or credits.
If you haven’t received your W-2 form by mid-February, it’s important to take action. Start by contacting your employer to inquire about the status of your W-2. They may have sent it to the wrong address or there could be a delay in processing. If your employer cannot provide the form, you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. They will assist you in obtaining the information you need to file your taxes. Remember, it’s essential to file your tax return on time, even if you have to estimate your earnings based on your last pay stub.
The IRS W-2 form is a crucial document for employees, as it summarizes their earnings and the taxes withheld by their employer throughout the year. However, several other forms and documents often accompany the W-2 to provide a complete picture of an individual's financial situation for tax purposes. Below are some commonly used forms that you may encounter alongside the W-2.
Understanding these forms can streamline the tax filing process and ensure that individuals comply with federal and state regulations. By keeping track of the W-2 and its accompanying documents, taxpayers can accurately report their earnings and avoid potential issues with the IRS.
Attention:
You may file Forms W-2 and W-3 electronically on the SSA’s Employer W-2 Filing Instructions and Information web page, which is also accessible at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer. You can create fill-in versions of Forms W-2 and W-3 for filing with SSA. You may also print out copies for filing with state or local governments, distribution to your employees, and for your records.
The maximum amount of dependent care assistance benefits excludable from income may be increased for 2021. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 permits employers to increase the amount of dependent care benefits under their plans that can be excluded from an employee’s income from $5,000 ($2,500 for married filing separately) to up to $10,500 ($5,250 for married filing separately). See section C of Notice 2021-26 in
Internal Revenue Bulletin: 2021-21 | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) for more information.
Note: Copy A of this form is provided for informational purposes only. Copy A appears in red, similar to the official IRS form. The official printed version of this IRS form is scannable, but the online version of it, printed from this website, is not. Do not print and file Copy A downloaded from this website with the SSA; a penalty may be imposed for filing forms that can’t be scanned. See the penalties section in the current General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3, available at www.irs.gov/w2, for more information.
Please note that Copy B and other copies of this form, which appear in black, may be downloaded, filled in, and printed and used to satisfy the requirement to provide the information to the recipient.
To order official IRS information returns such as Forms W-2 and W-3, which include a scannable Copy A for filing, go to IRS’ Online Ordering for Information Returns and Employer Returns page, or visit www.irs.gov/orderforms and click on Employer and Information returns. We’ll mail you the scannable forms and any other products you order.
See IRS Publications 1141, 1167, and 1179 for more information about printing these tax forms.
22222
VOID
a
Employee’s social security number
For Official Use Only ▶
OMB No. 1545-0008
b Employer identification number (EIN)
1 Wages, tips, other compensation
2 Federal income tax withheld
c Employer’s name, address, and ZIP code
3
Social security wages
4 Social security tax withheld
5 Medicare wages and tips
6
Medicare tax withheld
7
Social security tips
8
Allocated tips
d Control number
9
10
Dependent care benefits
e Employee’s first name and initial
Last name
Suff.
11
Nonqualified plans
12a See instructions for box 12
C
o
d
e
13
Statutory
Retirement
Third-party
12b
employee
plan
sick pay
14 Other
12c
12d
f Employee’s address and ZIP code
15 State Employer’s state ID number
16 State wages, tips, etc.
17 State income tax
18 Local wages, tips, etc.
19 Local income tax
20 Locality name
Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement
2022
Department of the Treasury—Internal Revenue Service
For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction
Copy A—For Social Security Administration. Send this entire page with
Act Notice, see the separate instructions.
Form W-3 to the Social Security Administration; photocopies are not acceptable.
Cat. No. 10134D
Do Not Cut, Fold, or Staple Forms on This Page
a Employee’s social security number
12a
Copy 1—For State, City, or Local Tax Department
Safe, accurate,
Visit the IRS website at
FAST! Use
www.irs.gov/efile
Copy B—To Be Filed With Employee’s FEDERAL Tax Return.
This information is being furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Notice to Employee
Do you have to file? Refer to the Form 1040 instructions to determine if you are required to file a tax return. Even if you don’t have to file a tax return, you may be eligible for a refund if box 2 shows an amount or if you are eligible for any credit.
Earned income credit (EIC). You may be able to take the EIC for 2022 if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than a certain amount. The amount of the credit is based on income and family size. Workers without children could qualify for a smaller credit. You and any qualifying children must have valid social security numbers (SSNs). You can’t take the EIC if your investment income is more than the specified amount for 2022 or if income is earned for services provided while you were an inmate at a penal institution. For 2022 income limits and more information, visit www.irs.gov/EITC. See also Pub. 596, Earned Income Credit. Any EIC that is more than your tax liability is refunded to you, but only if you file a tax return.
Employee’s social security number (SSN). For your protection, this form may show only the last four digits of your SSN. However, your employer has reported your complete SSN to the IRS and the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Clergy and religious workers. If you aren’t subject to social security and Medicare taxes, see Pub. 517, Social Security and Other Information for Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers.
Corrections. If your name, SSN, or address is incorrect, correct Copies B, C, and 2 and ask your employer to correct your employment record. Be sure to ask the employer to file Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement, with the SSA to correct any name, SSN, or money amount error reported to the SSA on Form W-2. Be sure to get your copies of Form W-2c from your employer for all corrections made so you may file them with your tax return. If your name and SSN are correct but aren’t the same as shown on your social security card, you should ask for a new card that displays your correct name at any SSA office or by calling 800-772-1213. You may also visit the SSA website at www.SSA.gov.
Cost of employer-sponsored health coverage (if such cost is provided by the employer). The reporting in box 12, using code DD, of the cost of employer-sponsored health coverage is for your information only. The amount reported with code DD is not taxable.
Credit for excess taxes. If you had more than one employer in 2022 and more than $9,114 in social security and/or Tier 1 railroad retirement (RRTA) taxes were withheld, you may be able to claim a credit for the excess against your federal income tax. See the Form 1040 instructions. If you had more than one railroad employer and more than $5,350.80 in Tier 2 RRTA tax was withheld, you may be able to claim a refund on Form 843. See the Instructions for Form 843.
(See also Instructions for Employee on the back of Copy C.)
aEmployee’s social security number
This information is being furnished to the Internal Revenue Service. If you
are required to file a tax return, a negligence penalty or other sanction
may be imposed on you if this income is taxable and you fail to report it.
Copy C—For EMPLOYEE’S RECORDS
(See Notice to Employee on the back of Copy B.)
Instructions for Employee
(See also Notice to Employee on the back of Copy B.)
Box 1. Enter this amount on the wages line of your tax return.
Box 2. Enter this amount on the federal income tax withheld line of your tax return.
Box 5. You may be required to report this amount on Form 8959, Additional Medicare Tax. See the Form 1040 instructions to determine if you are required to complete Form 8959.
Box 6. This amount includes the 1.45% Medicare Tax withheld on all Medicare wages and tips shown in box 5, as well as the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on any of those Medicare wages and tips above $200,000.
Box 8. This amount is not included in box 1, 3, 5, or 7. For information on how to report tips on your tax return, see the Form 1040 instructions.
You must file Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tip Income, with your income tax return to report at least the allocated tip amount unless you can prove with adequate records that you received a smaller amount. If you have records that show the actual amount of tips you received, report that amount even if it is more or less than the allocated tips. Use Form 4137 to figure the social security and Medicare tax owed on tips you didn’t report to your employer. Enter this amount on the wages line of your tax return. By filing Form 4137, your social security tips will be credited to your social security record (used to figure your benefits).
Box 10. This amount includes the total dependent care benefits that your employer paid to you or incurred on your behalf (including amounts from a section 125 (cafeteria) plan). Any amount over your employer’s plan limit is also included in box 1. See Form 2441.
Box 11. This amount is (a) reported in box 1 if it is a distribution made to you from a nonqualified deferred compensation or nongovernmental section 457(b) plan, or (b) included in box 3 and/or box 5 if it is a prior year deferral under a nonqualified or section 457(b) plan that became taxable for social security and Medicare taxes this year because there is no longer a substantial risk of forfeiture of your right to the deferred amount. This box shouldn’t be used if you had a deferral and a distribution in the same calendar year. If you made a deferral and
received a distribution in the same calendar year, and you are or will be age 62 by the end of the calendar year, your employer should file Form SSA-131, Employer Report of Special Wage Payments, with the Social Security Administration and give you a copy.
Box 12. The following list explains the codes shown in box 12. You may need this information to complete your tax return. Elective deferrals (codes D, E, F, and S) and designated Roth contributions (codes AA, BB, and EE) under all plans are generally limited to a total of $20,500 ($14,000 if you only have SIMPLE plans; $23,500 for section 403(b) plans if you qualify for the 15-year rule explained in Pub. 571). Deferrals under code G are limited to $20,500. Deferrals under code H are limited to $7,000.
However, if you were at least age 50 in 2022, your employer may have allowed an additional deferral of up to $6,500 ($3,000 for section 401(k)(11) and 408(p) SIMPLE plans). This additional deferral amount is not subject to the overall limit on elective deferrals. For code G, the limit on elective deferrals may be higher for the last 3 years before you reach retirement age. Contact your plan administrator for more information. Amounts in excess of the overall elective deferral limit must be included in income. See the Form 1040 instructions.
Note: If a year follows code D through H, S, Y, AA, BB, or EE, you made a make-up pension contribution for a prior year(s) when you were in military service. To figure whether you made excess deferrals, consider these amounts for the year shown, not the current year. If no year is shown, the contributions are for the current year.
A—Uncollected social security or RRTA tax on tips. Include this tax on Form 1040 or 1040-SR. See the Form 1040 instructions.
B—Uncollected Medicare tax on tips. Include this tax on Form 1040 or 1040-SR. See the Form 1040 instructions.
C—Taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 (included in boxes 1, 3 (up to the social security wage base), and 5)
D—Elective deferrals to a section 401(k) cash or deferred arrangement. Also includes deferrals under a SIMPLE retirement account that is part of a section 401(k) arrangement.
E—Elective deferrals under a section 403(b) salary reduction agreement
(continued on back of Copy 2)
Copy 2—To Be Filed With Employee’s State, City, or Local
Income Tax Return
Instructions for Employee (continued from back of
Copy C)
Box 12 (continued)
F—Elective deferrals under a section 408(k)(6) salary reduction SEP
G—Elective deferrals and employer contributions (including nonelective deferrals) to a section 457(b) deferred compensation plan
H—Elective deferrals to a section 501(c)(18)(D) tax-exempt organization plan. See the Form 1040 instructions for how to deduct.
J—Nontaxable sick pay (information only, not included in box 1, 3, or 5)
K—20% excise tax on excess golden parachute payments. See the Form 1040 instructions.
L—Substantiated employee business expense reimbursements (nontaxable)
M—Uncollected social security or RRTA tax on taxable cost of group- term life insurance over $50,000 (former employees only). See the Form 1040 instructions.
N—Uncollected Medicare tax on taxable cost of group-term life insurance over $50,000 (former employees only). See the Form 1040 instructions.
P—Excludable moving expense reimbursements paid directly to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (not included in box 1, 3, or 5)
Q—Nontaxable combat pay. See the Form 1040 instructions for details on reporting this amount.
R—Employer contributions to your Archer MSA. Report on Form 8853, Archer MSAs and Long-Term Care Insurance Contracts.
S—Employee salary reduction contributions under a section 408(p) SIMPLE plan (not included in box 1)
T—Adoption benefits (not included in box 1). Complete Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, to figure any taxable and nontaxable amounts.
V—Income from exercise of nonstatutory stock option(s) (included in boxes 1, 3 (up to the social security wage base), and 5). See Pub. 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, for reporting requirements.
W—Employer contributions (including amounts the employee elected to contribute using a section 125 (cafeteria) plan) to your health savings account. Report on Form 8889, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Y—Deferrals under a section 409A nonqualified deferred compensation plan
Z—Income under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that fails to satisfy section 409A. This amount is also included in box 1. It is subject to an additional 20% tax plus interest. See the Form 1040 instructions.
AA—Designated Roth contributions under a section 401(k) plan BB—Designated Roth contributions under a section 403(b) plan
DD—Cost of employer-sponsored health coverage. The amount reported with code DD is not taxable.
EE—Designated Roth contributions under a governmental section 457(b) plan. This amount does not apply to contributions under a tax- exempt organization section 457(b) plan.
FF—Permitted benefits under a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement
GG—Income from qualified equity grants under section 83(i)
HH—Aggregate deferrals under section 83(i) elections as of the close of the calendar year
Box 13. If the “Retirement plan” box is checked, special limits may apply to the amount of traditional IRA contributions you may deduct. See Pub. 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs).
Box 14. Employers may use this box to report information such as state disability insurance taxes withheld, union dues, uniform payments, health insurance premiums deducted, nontaxable income, educational assistance payments, or a member of the clergy’s parsonage allowance and utilities. Railroad employers use this box to report railroad retirement (RRTA) compensation, Tier 1 tax, Tier 2 tax, Medicare tax, and Additional Medicare Tax. Include tips reported by the employee to the employer in railroad retirement (RRTA) compensation.
Note: Keep Copy C of Form W-2 for at least 3 years after the due date for filing your income tax return. However, to help protect your social security benefits, keep Copy C until you begin receiving social security benefits, just in case there is a question about your work record and/or earnings in a particular year.
Copy D—For Employer
Act Notice, see separate instructions.
Filling out the IRS W-2 form can be straightforward, but many individuals make common mistakes that can lead to complications. One frequent error is providing incorrect personal information. Names should match the Social Security card exactly. A simple typo can delay processing and cause issues with tax returns.
Another common mistake involves the Social Security number. It’s crucial to double-check this number. An incorrect Social Security number can result in significant delays and potential penalties. Make sure to verify that the number is accurate before submitting the form.
Many people also fail to report all income. It’s essential to include all earnings from various sources, including bonuses and tips. Omitting any income can lead to discrepancies and may raise red flags with the IRS.
Additionally, some individuals overlook the importance of checking the box for statutory employees. This designation affects how income is reported and taxed. Failing to check this box can lead to misclassification and tax issues down the line.
Another mistake is neglecting to review the tax withholding amounts. Ensure that the amounts listed are correct and reflect your current tax situation. Incorrect withholding can result in underpayment or overpayment of taxes, affecting your financial planning.
People often forget to sign and date the form. While it may seem trivial, a missing signature can render the form invalid. Always take a moment to ensure that all required signatures are present before submission.
Some individuals might not keep a copy of their W-2 form. Retaining a copy is essential for personal records and future reference. It can be invaluable if questions arise or if you need to amend your tax return.
Failing to understand the implications of filing status is another common error. Different filing statuses can affect tax rates and eligibility for certain credits. Knowing your correct filing status can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Lastly, many people do not seek help when needed. Tax laws can be complex, and consulting a tax professional can provide clarity. If there’s uncertainty about how to fill out the W-2 form, seeking assistance can save time and prevent errors.
The IRS W-2 form is a crucial document for reporting wages and taxes withheld from an employee's paycheck. Several other forms serve similar purposes in different contexts. Below is a list of documents that share similarities with the W-2 form:
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