What is W-2?
IRS form employers use to report wages paid and taxes withheld from employees.
Definition
Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, is an IRS form that employers must send to employees and the IRS at the end of each year. It reports the employee's annual wages and the amount of taxes withheld from their paycheck, including federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes.
Who Needs to Know This?
All employees who earned wages during the tax year. Employers must provide W-2s to employees by January 31.
Key Deadline
Employers must issue by January 31; employees use for tax filing by April 15
Potential Penalties
For employers: $50-$580 per form for late/incorrect filing
Related Forms
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1Not reporting all W-2s received
- 2Confusing W-2 with 1099 (employee vs contractor)
- 3Not checking W-2 for errors before filing
- 4Losing the form and not requesting a replacement
Related Terms
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