W-2 Income: Complete Guide

A W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) is a form your employer sends you each year summarizing how much you were paid and how much tax was withheld. If you worked as an employee at any point during the year—full-time, part-time, or seasonal—you should receive a W-2.

Employers are required to send W-2s by January 31st. If you haven't received yours by mid-February, reach out to your employer's HR or payroll department.

Note that independent contractors and freelancers receive 1099 forms instead of W-2s. If you're unsure which you are, check whether taxes were withheld from your paychecks—that's a strong indicator you're a W-2 employee.