Purpose

• The main purpose of Form W2 is to report taxes withed and income paid to a taxpayer during the year. In addition to reporting federal wages and tax, Form W2 also reports an employee's state and local tax information. Federal, state and local tax information may be reported on the same form or employers may issue separate forms. All employers are generally required to send out Forms W2 no later than Jan. 31 each year. If you feel that you should have received a W2 and have not, contact the Internal Revenue Service.
  
  

Form W2 C

• A Form W2 C is issued when errors are found on a W2. It is used by employers to report corrected information such as employee name, address, Social Security number, wages, tips and taxes. If you notice mistakes on your W2 and have not yet received a Form W2 C, contact your employer to request one. You may disregard all information printed on the original W2 once you have obtained Form W2 C. Use figures from form W2 C when figuring your taxes.
  
  

Downloading Form W2

• Although employers are required to mail Forms W2 to employees no later than Jan. 31, you may be able to obtain yours more quickly by downloading it online. If your employer uploads W2s, all you need is a computer with an Internet connection and access to a printer to get started on your tax return. You may be required to provide information from your most recent pay stub or other personal information before gaining access to your W2.
  
  

Other Forms

• Form W2 is used to report earnings paid to an employee by an employer. While the W2 is the most common form used to report income to individuals, there are several other forms used to report income that you must be aware of when filing taxes. Self-employed taxpayers may receive Form 1099-MISC. Other forms used to report income include: 1099-INT, W2-G and 1099-G. If you have questions regarding any of these income statements, consult with a CPA or professional tax preparer before filing.