Your W-2 summarizes a year of employment in a single page. Knowing four or five boxes covers most questions.
The boxes that matter most
Box 1 shows wages subject to federal income tax. Box 2 shows federal income tax withheld. Boxes 3 through 6 cover Social Security and Medicare wages and withholding. Boxes 15 through 17 cover state information.
Why Box 1 may differ from your salary
Pre-tax items such as retirement contributions and certain benefits reduce Box 1. A difference between your gross salary and Box 1 is often normal.
If something looks wrong
Contact your employer for a corrected W-2 rather than adjusting numbers yourself. Filing with incorrect wage figures usually generates a notice later.
Key takeaways
- Box 1 is taxable wages, not gross salary.
- Box 2 is your federal withholding for the year.
- Multiple jobs mean multiple W-2s — all of them are needed.
- Corrections come from the employer, not from estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Ask your employer first. Keep your pay records in the meantime, since they help verify the figures.
Yes. Each employer issues its own W-2 and all of them belong on your return.
This page provides general information only. Individual tax situations vary and may require additional documents or steps.