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DictionaryIdentity and taxes

Form W-2: what it means

Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) is the document your employer must prepare for each employee. It shows the wages you were paid and the taxes withheld from your pay, such as income tax and Social Security and Medicare taxes.

In Spanish it is

Formulario W-2

Also written as: W-2 · Wage and Tax Statement

The full explanation

The employer files it with the government and sends you a copy, on paper or electronically, in January or February so you can file your tax return. If it does not arrive or has errors, you first ask your employer to fix it; if you still do not get it, the IRS can help you obtain it.

An example

In February, Lorena downloads her W-2 from her job's portal. She sees her name is misspelled, tells her employer and waits for the corrected form before filing.

You will see it in…

  • Your employer's portal or mail, early in the year
  • Your tax return, where you report your wages
  • Your IRS wage and income transcript

Words that go with it

You will rarely see this word alone. These are the ones that show up with it on the same papers.

More guides that use “Form W-2”

More words on this topic: Identity and taxes

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Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

  1. 1. IRS · About Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
  2. 2. IRS · Gather your documents · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
  3. 3. IRS · Topic no. 154, Form W-2 and Form 1099-R (what to do if incorrect or not received) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026