What wages are included on an an employee W-2 form? – Paid

All earned employee wages must be reported to the IRS and state tax agencies on a regular basis. At the end of every year, those wages are also reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and an annual W-2 form is generated and provided to the employee's.

W-2s include all taxable wages paid to the worker between the dates of January 1 through December 31. In this case, the pay period is irrelevant. Meaning, if a payroll is processed with a pay period in December and a pay date in January, those wages will be included on the January calendar year W-2.

Here are the typical wages included on a W-2:

Wages, Salaries, Tips: This encompasses the employee's regular pay and tips received throughout the year.
Federal Income Tax Withheld: The amount of federal income tax taken out of an employee's pay throughout the year.
State Income Tax Withheld: If applicable, the amount of state income tax withheld from the employee's pay.
Social Security Wages: The earnings subject to Social Security tax. This has a maximum limit that changes annually.
Medicare Wages: The earnings subject to Medicare tax. There's no limit on the amount of wages subject to Medicare tax.
Other Compensation: This can include additional forms of compensation like bonuses, commissions, severance pay, taxable fringe benefits, etc.
Retirement Plan Contributions: Any contributions made to retirement plans such as a 401(k), 403(b), or similar retirement plans, and any contributions made to an IRA.
Healthcare and Other Benefits: The value of certain health benefits or other benefits provided by the employer, if they are taxable.
Employer Contributions: Any contributions made by the employer to a retirement plan or other benefits that are taxable to the employee.