How To Attach W-2s To Tax Returns - Sapling

Home » Where Do I Attach My W2 » How To Attach W-2s To Tax Returns - Sapling

Maybe your like

  1. Personal Finance
  2. Taxes
How to Attach W-2s to Tax Returns By Steve Milano, MSJ Fact Checked Tax Forms - W-2 and 1040 Image Credit: agshotime/iStock/GettyImages

If you're an employee, you should receive a W-2 form from your employer each year, which is a statement of your wages. You'll receive three different copies, one of which you need to send to the IRS along with your tax return.

Advertisement

If you don't send your W-2 in, or it gets lost because the person who opened the envelope didn't see it and didn't forward it with your tax return, your return could be delayed. Taking a few steps to make sure you properly attach your W-2 to your return will help you get your taxes filed more quickly and help you get your refund sooner, if you have one coming.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

We Recommend

IRS Tax Form 1040 with Money Personal Finance How to Mail a Federal Tax Return By Steve MilanoExpert Reviewed Tax form concept Personal Finance How to Attach Tax Return Forms By Gail Sessoms How to Assemble Paper Tax Returns Personal Finance How to Assemble Paper Tax Returns By Steve MilanoExpert Reviewed

Video of the Day

​Read More​: How to Attach Tax Return Forms

What Is a W-2?

A W-2 form shows the amount of money you earned from an employer and the amount of taxes withheld. The form details which taxes you paid (e.g., federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare) and how much. The form also includes other information, such as your name, address and Social Security number.

Advertisement

To learn how to use a W-2 to prepare your taxes, visit the IRS website for step-by-step instructions for using the information on your Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement.

If you work as a contractor, you'll receive a 1099 form from the company (or companies) that paid you. This will only include your income information, since contractors don't have taxes taken out of their payments by clients.

Advertisement

We Recommend

IRS Tax Form 1040 with Money Personal Finance How to Mail a Federal Tax Return By Steve MilanoExpert Reviewed Tax form concept Personal Finance How to Attach Tax Return Forms By Gail Sessoms How to Assemble Paper Tax Returns Personal Finance How to Assemble Paper Tax Returns By Steve MilanoExpert Reviewed

​Read More​: How to Verify W-2 Information

Which One to Attach?

You will receive three copies of your W-2: one to keep for your personal records, one to attach to your federal tax return and one to return with your state tax return. Each copy is clearly marked so that you know which one to include with which return.

Advertisement

Advertisement

If you accidentally attach your W-2 marked for your state onto your federal return, don't worry – the personal, state and federal designations on each W-2 copy are helpful suggestions only. You can send any of your three W-2 forms to your state or the federal government. They all have the same information.

Advertisement

​Read More​: How to Mail a Federal Tax Return

How to Attach W-2 to 1040

The IRS asks you to "attach" your W-2 form to your tax return, but doesn't specify how. This includes the instructions to "Attach Form(s) W-2" that are written on Form 1040. Some people use a staple, while others use a paper clip. Regardless of which route you choose, keep in mind that the IRS requests that you attach your W-2 to your tax return to help ensure that the two documents do not become separated at any point during the process.

Advertisement

To attach your W-2, do so by attaching it to the front page (only) of your tax return. This means if you're going to use a stapler, don't staple the W-2 in such a way that you staple all of the pages of your return. Only staple the W-2 to the first page.

Place the W-2 on the right-hand side of the top page of your tax return and staple the W-2 in the middle so the IRS employee can quickly see your name and Social Security number without having to remove your W-2. You can also use a paper clip to attach the W-2 to your return. Only clip the form to the top page of your tax return, not all of them.

Advertisement

Advertisement

references
  • TurboTax: What is a W-2 Form?
  • IRS.gov: Line-by-Line Help Free File Fillable Forms
  • IRS.gov: How to Prepare your Tax Return for Mailing

related articles

1
Can I File My State Taxes Separately From Federal?
2
How to File a 1099 With Maryland
3
How to Print a 1099 Tax Form off the Computer

You May Also Like

1
How to Amend a Missouri State Tax Return
2
How to Fill Out 1099 Forms for Missouri
3
How to Fill Out State Income Tax Form

Tag » Where Do I Attach My W2