Just like the Form 1099, the W-2 is considered an information return. This form reports the wages paid and wages withheld from an employee. The W-2 also reports FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Tax Act) to Social Security. The Social Security administration then reports relevant information to the Internal Revenue Service.

The Form W-2 is filled out by your employer and shows your income from January 1st through Dec 31st. Income can be salary, wage, or other compensations you get from employment.

Each Form W-2 has 6 parts:

• Copy A - Submitted by the employer to the Social Security Administration. (In addition, the employer must also submit Form W-3, which is a summary of all Forms W-2 completed, along with all Copies A submitted. The Form W-3 must be signed by the employer.)
• Copy B - To be sent to the employee and filed by the employee with the employee's federal income tax returns.
• Copy C - To be sent to the employee, to be retained by the employee for the employee's records.
• Copy D - To be retained by the employer, for the employer's records.
• Copy 1 - To be filed with the employee's state or local income tax returns (if any).
• Copy 2 - To be filed with the employee's state or local income tax returns (if any).

As an employee you will get copies B,C,1, and 2. You should get this by January 31st. Once you get your W-2 you can begin your Tax Return.