W-2 Form Generator with Auto Tax Calculator
Generate a complete W-2 Wage and Tax Statement. Enter your gross wages and we automatically calculate federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax withholding — all W-2 boxes filled instantly.
Tax Year & Filing Status
Employer Information
Employee Information
Wages & Tax Withholding
W-2 Form Preview
Fill out the form and click Generate to preview your W-2 form with auto-calculated tax boxes.
Understanding the W-2 Form
The W-2 form is one of the most important tax documents for American workers. Every employer who pays an employee $600 or more during the year must issue a W-2 by January 31st of the following year. The form reports total wages, tips, and other compensation, along with the federal, state, and local taxes withheld from the employee's paycheck throughout the year.
Key W-2 Boxes Explained
- Box 1: Wages, tips, other compensation — your total taxable earnings
- Box 2: Federal income tax withheld — based on your filing status and W-4
- Boxes 3 & 4: Social Security wages and tax (6.2% up to $168,600 in 2024)
- Boxes 5 & 6: Medicare wages and tax (1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200K)
- Boxes 15-17: State employer ID, state wages, and state income tax withheld
Who needs a W-2 reference document?
- Employees who lost their W-2 and need a reference while waiting for a replacement
- Tax preparers who need to estimate withholding from a final pay stub
- Workers verifying income for apartment applications, loans, or mortgages
- HR departments creating sample W-2s for employee education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a W-2 form?
A W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) is an IRS tax form that employers issue to employees. It reports annual wages paid and taxes withheld — including federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax. Employees need W-2s to file their annual tax returns.
How does auto-calculate work?
When you enter your gross annual wages and filing status, our calculator automatically fills in Box 2 (federal tax withheld), Box 4 (Social Security tax), Box 6 (Medicare tax), and Box 17 (state tax) using current IRS withholding tables and FICA rates. You can also toggle auto-calculate off to enter exact amounts from your employer records.
Is this an official IRS W-2 form?
No. This is a document preparation tool that generates a W-2 format document for personal record-keeping, income verification, and tax preparation reference. For official W-2 forms filed with the IRS/SSA, contact your employer or use the IRS Business Services Online portal.
When do I need a W-2?
Employers must send W-2 forms to employees by January 31st each year. You need your W-2 to file your federal and state income tax returns, verify income for loans or rentals, and reconcile tax withholding.
What if I lost my W-2?
First, contact your employer for a replacement (Form W-2c). If unavailable, you can request a Wage and Income Transcript from the IRS (Form 4506-T). Our generator can help you create a reference document from your last pay stub while you wait for the official copy.