US workers can expect to receive a W-2 form by the first week of February. The form details your total earnings from the previous year, along with the taxes that were withheld from your pay. It’s essential for filing your income taxes.

If you’re a full-time or part-time employee, you’ll typically need to receive a W-2 from your employer in order to file your tax return. In 2026, employers are required to provide this form to their employees by Feb. 2 (later than the usual deadline of Jan. 31, because that date falls on a Saturday this year). If you have multiple employers, you’ll receive multiple W-2s.

To help you navigate this process, we’ve gathered all the key information about the W-2 form: what it is, what information it contains and when you can expect to receive it.

For more key tax tips, review the documents you need to file your taxes and how income tax rules are changing for the 2026 tax season. 

What is a W-2?

A W-2 form, also known as the Wage and Tax Statement, serves as the official record of your earnings and the taxes withheld from your paycheck during a given tax year. You’ll use this form to calculate how much you owe in taxes or the tax refund you may receive. 

The form includes important details about:

• Gross wages
• Income tax withheld (federal, state and local)
• Contributions to retirement plans, such as a 401(k)
• Contributions to a health savings account (HSA)
• Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld
• Tips or other forms of compensation 

Whether you file your taxes on paper, through tax software or via a professional tax preparer, you’ll need to reference the information on your W-2 to complete your return.

When will I receive my W-2?

Since your W-2 is vital to completing your tax return when tax season opens — this year it’s Monday, Jan. 26 — your employer has a deadline to get your form to you: Employers are required to issue W-2 forms by Feb. 2. 

Your W-2 could come in the mail, or will be available electronically through an online portal or email. No matter how you receive your forms, it’s important to keep a copy of the W-2 for your records.

How do I read my W-2 form?

Once you receive your W-2, you may feel overwhelmed by the many boxes and details included. This form is vital for filing your tax return accurately, so you’ll want to understand each piece of information.

Here’s how to read your W-2 and what the information means:

Employee and employer information

Across the top and left-side columns of the form, you’ll find boxes a to f with key personal information: your legal name, Social Security number, home address, employer details and employer identification number (a unique identifier for the business).

Wages and salary information

Box 1: Wages, tips and income

• Your total taxable income earned from your employer.

Box 2: Federal income tax withheld

• The total amount of federal income tax withheld from your paychecks.

Box 3: Social Security wages 

• Your total wages subject to Social Security tax.

Box 4: Social Security tax withheld 

• The amount of Social Security tax withheld.

Box 5: Medicare wages and tips

• Your total wages subject to Medicare tax.

Box 6: Medicare tax withheld

• The amount of Medicare tax withheld.

Box 7: Social Security tips 

• If you received compensation by tips (servers in restaurants, nail and hair stylists, hotel employees, etc.), this box shows the amount subject to Social Security tax.

Box 8: Allocated tips 

• Amount in tips that your employer has allocated to you.

Box 9: Verification code

• Don’t worry about this mysteriously grayed-out section. It was formerly used for reporting advance payments for the Earned Income Credit, but this tax perk ended in 2010. You can ignore this box and move on. 

Deductions and contributions

Box 10: Dependent care benefits

• Any employer-provided financial assistance or benefits for dependent care.

Box 11: Deferred compensation plans

Box 12: Codes

• This box contains additional compensation or reductions to taxable income, such as contributions to a 401(k), adoption benefits or retirement plans. There are 28 specific items that can be found here, each designated by a single or double-letter code. For example, “D” is referring to 401(k) contributions.

Box 13: Income not federally taxed 

• This box will show three types of income that aren’t subject to federal tax: Employer-sponsored retirement plans like a 401(k), third-party sick pay like private insurance or money earned as a statutory employee.

Box 14: Various income and benefits

• Additional information about other types of compensation or deductions. The contents of Box 14 can vary by employer, but common items reported in this box include state disability insurance, tuition assistance, union dues and charitable contributions. 

State and local tax information

Box 15: State and state identification number 

• Your employer’s state tax ID number.

Box 16: State wages

• The amount of wages, including tips, subject to state income tax.

Box 17: State income tax withheld 

• The amount of state income tax withheld.

Box 18: Local wages

• The amount of wages, including tips, subject to local income tax.

Box 19: Local income tax withheld 

• The amount of local income tax already taken via your paycheck.

Box 20: Locality name

• The name of the town or city where local taxes are applicable.

For more tax tips, see how to use IRS Free Fill to file your tax return for free and why you should file your taxes as early as possible.