How to Fill Out a W-2 If You Are Married

The Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, reports an employee’s annual wages and the taxes withheld from their paychecks. Employers must provide this form to each employee by January 31st of the year following the tax year. This form is essential for preparing income tax returns, as it summarizes the income earned and taxes paid on the employee’s behalf.

Understanding Your W-2 and Marital Status

The Form W-2 does not contain a specific box for marital status. However, the marital status chosen on Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, significantly influences the federal income tax withheld. This amount is reported in Box 2 of the W-2. State income tax withheld, shown in Box 17, can also be impacted by marital status indicated on state-specific withholding forms.

The W-2 summarizes income and withholding provided by the employer. Its figures, particularly for federal and state income tax withheld, are a direct result of the marital status elections and other withholding choices made on the W-4.

Completing Your W-4 as a Married Individual

The Form W-4 is where married individuals provide information that directly influences their tax withholding and the amounts reported on their W-2. An updated W-4 should be submitted to an employer whenever personal circumstances, such as marriage, change. The choices made on this form determine how much federal income tax is withheld from each paycheck.

When completing the W-4, Step 1(c) offers “Married filing jointly” and “Married filing separately” options. Most married couples choose “Married filing jointly” as it often provides access to lower tax rates and more deductions. This selection guides the employer on which tax rates and standard deduction amounts to apply for withholding purposes.

Step 2 on the W-4 is important for married couples where both spouses work or if one spouse has multiple jobs. If adjustments are not made, under-withholding can occur, potentially leading to a tax bill or penalties. There are three methods to adjust withholding to ensure accuracy. The first method involves using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator available on the IRS website.

A second method involves using the Multiple Jobs Worksheet on page 3 of the W-4. This worksheet guides individuals in calculating an additional amount to be withheld per pay period, entered in Step 4(c). A third option is to check the box in Step 2(c) on the W-4 for both jobs if they have similar pay.

Step 3 allows individuals to claim dependents, which reduces the amount of tax withheld. For married couples, it is recommended that only one spouse claim all dependents on their W-4, typically the spouse with the highest-paying job. Step 4(c) provides an option to elect an additional amount of tax to be withheld from each pay period. This is useful for those who prefer to have more tax taken out to avoid a tax bill. These choices on the W-4 directly determine the federal income tax withheld, reported in Box 2 of the W-2, and can also influence state income tax withheld in Box 17.

Interpreting Key Information on Your W-2

Understanding the W-2’s various boxes provides insight into your annual earnings and tax withholdings. Box 1, “Wages, tips, other compensation,” reports your total taxable wages for federal income tax purposes. This amount includes regular wages, bonuses, and taxable fringe benefits, generally excluding pre-tax deductions like health insurance premiums or retirement contributions.

Box 2, “Federal income tax withheld,” displays the total federal income tax your employer withheld throughout the year. This figure is a direct result of the information you provided on your Form W-4, including your chosen marital status and any adjustments. Boxes 3 and 5 report “Social security wages” and “Medicare wages and tips,” while Boxes 4 and 6 show “Social security tax withheld” and “Medicare tax withheld.” These amounts are based on your gross wages and statutory rates, and unlike federal income tax, they are not directly influenced by your marital status selection on the W-4.

Boxes 16 and 17, “State wages, tips, etc.” and “State income tax,” detail your wages subject to state tax and the state income tax withheld. State withholding rules vary, but the amount of state income tax withheld is often influenced by state-specific withholding forms where marital status can be a factor.

Verifying Your W-2 for Accuracy

Upon receiving your W-2, review it carefully for accuracy. Compare the information on your W-2 against your final pay stub for the year. Check your name and Social Security number, ensuring they are correctly spelled and match your official records.

Verify the amounts reported in Box 1 (Wages, tips, other compensation) and Box 2 (Federal income tax withheld) against your pay stubs. If applicable, also check Boxes 16 and 17 for state wages and state income tax withheld. If you discover an error, such as an incorrect Social Security number or amount, contact your employer’s payroll or human resources department immediately. Your employer will then issue a corrected W-2, known as a Form W-2c, to rectify the mistake.