Find your personal information at the top
Check your Social Security number
Review your employer’s name, address, and EIN
Look at Box 1 for taxable wages, tips, and other compensation
Check Box 2 for federal income tax withheld
Review Box 3 for Social Security wages
Review Box 4 for Social Security tax withheld
Review Box 5 for Medicare wages and tips
Review Box 6 for Medicare tax withheld
Check Box 7 for Social Security tips, if any
Check Box 8 for allocated tips, if any
Review Box 10 for dependent care benefits, if any
Check Box 12 for coded items such as retirement contributions or benefits
Review Box 13 to see if the retirement plan, statutory employee, or third-party sick pay boxes are checked
Check Box 14 for other deductions or information
Review Boxes 15 through 20 for state and local wage and tax information
Compare the amounts to your final pay stub or year-end payroll records
Use the W-2 to file your tax return