W-2 definition and meaning
A W-2 is a government tax form, completed by an employer which reports an employees’ annual wages from the previous year. Also known as a Wage and Tax statement, it includes supplemental payments such as tips, commissions, bonuses, as well as totals for all deductions and withholdings.
More about W-2s
Federal law requires employers to issue a completed copy of Form W-2 to each employee and the IRS at the end of each calendar year. The employee uses the information on the W-2 to pay their income taxes and the employer uses it to report FICA taxes. Employers must also send a copy to the IRS, which uses the form to track individuals’ tax obligations.
